The U.S. Soccer Federation released a letter Monday claiming that it's paid the World Cup champion women’s team more than the men’s national team in recent years — citing figures disputed by the U.S. Women's National Team.
Why it matters: Following the USWNT's 4th World Cup win this month, equal pay in sport has become a hot-button political issue. The letter's release comes ahead of mediation in the U.S. Women's National Team’s pay-equity lawsuit against the governing body, the Wall Street Journal notes.
And the fact sheet... (2/2) pic.twitter.com/XFofHS90f1
— Carlos Cordeiro (@CACSoccer) July 29, 2019
By the numbers: U.S. Soccer President Carlos Cordeiro's letter states that U.S. Soccer paid $34.1 million in salary and game bonuses to the women from 2010 to 2018, compared to $26.4 million that the men received.
- It says the USWNT generated $101.3 million over the course of 238 games from 2009 to 2019, whereas the men's team generated $185.7 over 191 games.
Yes, but: Comparing compensation between the 2 national teams is tricky because the pay structure is based on different collective bargaining agreements, per AP — which notes that the women’s side has a base salary but the men are paid primarily based on matches and performance.
- The federation's statistics do not include prize money for tournaments such as the World Cup because that's determined by international soccer governing body FIFA.
What they're saying: USWNT spokesperson Molly Levinson said in a statement provided to Axios that the numbers the USSF uses are "utterly false."
The big picture: Democratic presidential candidate and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio pledged this month to use executive action to guarantee equal pay for national sports teams if Congress failed to act.
- Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has introduced a bill to deny funding for the 2026 World Cup until U.S. Soccer guarantees equal pay for the men's and women's teams.
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