U.S Soccer Players Agree to Five-Year Deal with Federation
U.S. women’s soccer players and the U.S Soccer federation have agreed to a five-year collective bargaining agreement, settling a dispute in which the players sought equitable wages to their male counterparts. The deal aims to improve standards for the national team and pro NWSL league while also having labor deal through 2021.
In March of 2016, the players raised issues about compensation and conditions compared to their the men's soccer team and filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleging the federation of wage discrimination
The team had been playing under a memorandum of understanding that expired Dec. 31. The specifics of the new agreement have not been disclosed. The agreement was ratified and finalized by the players and the federation's board on Tuesday.
In a joint statement by the federation and its players, they have “ratified a new collective bargaining agreement which will continue to build the women’s program in the U.S., grow the game of soccer worldwide and improve the professional lives of players on and off the field. We are proud of the hard work and commitment to thoughtful dialogue reflected through this process, and look forward to strengthening our partnership moving forward.”
The new deal includes:
Significant increase in direct compensation
Significant increase in bonus compensation
Provides for enhanced “lifestyle” benefits for the players with respect to travel and hotels
Per diem equal to the U.S. men’s team
Greater financial support for players who are pregnant
Financial support for players adopting a child
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In addition, the players’ association will now control group likeness rights for licensing and non-exclusive rights in sponsorship categories where USSF does not have a sponsor.
The deal will run through the 2019 World Cup in France and the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. This week this U.S national team will play Russia in two friendlies in Texas.
“We believe this is another important step to continue our longstanding efforts to drive the growth of women’s soccer in the United States,” USSF President Sunil Gulati said. “This agreement helps to ensure the strength of the Women’s National Team, provide stability and growth potential for the National Women’s Soccer League, and over time strengthen the elite player development process at the grassroots level. We believe our continued partnership will ensure a bright future for our sport for years to come.”
The deal also allows the federation to keep compensating national team players allocated to National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the improvements to NWSL standards. The NWSL's fifth season begins on April 15.
