The US Soccer Federation on Wednesday announced that it has reached an agreement to equally pay the men’s and women’s national teams. The anouncement comes three years after players agreed to settle a gender discrimination lawsuit brought in 2019. The collective bargaining agreements, seperate for men and women teams, have been announced through December 2028. 

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The US women’s soccer team,  four-time World Cup winners (1991, 1999, 2015, and 2019), four Olympic gold medalists (1996, 2004, 2008, and 2012), and eight CONCACAF Gold Cups title-holders, have been negotiating for equal pay for years. They have been playing under the terms of a CBA that expired at the end of March. The settlement was contingent on the federation reaching labor contracts that equalized pay and bonuses between the two teams.

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“I feel a lot of pride for the girls who are going to see this growing up, and recognize their value rather than having to fight for it. However, my dad always told me that you don’t get rewarded for doing what you’re supposed to do — and paying men and women equally is what you’re supposed to do,” U.S. forward Margaret Purce said. “So I’m not giving out any gold stars, but I’m grateful for this accomplishment and for all the people who came together to make it so.”

A look at the deal:

World Cup and Olympics prize:

The prize money of the 2022 men’s World Cup and the women’s tournament next year will see the union take 10% and split the rest among the 46 players on the teams’ rosters — 23 men and 23 women. For the 2026 and 2027 tournaments, the USSF will take 20%. 

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For qualifiers for a World Cup or other major tournament, each player gets $10,000 per game in base pay plus $14,000 for a win and $4,000 for a draw.

A player will earn $10,000 per game, $12,000 for a win and $4,000 for a draw. The bonus for medals is set at $36,000 for gold, $24,000 for a silver and $8,000 for a bronze.

Revenue:

The women’s and men’s teams will receive commercial revenue from tickets for that team’s matches controlled by the USSF. The federation gets to deduct from the total agency and licensing fees along with 15% to recapture expenses.

The players will split the commercial money based on their share of total rosters, sharing 10% of the amount from $55 million up to $75 million and 15% of the amount over $75 million.

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Ticket money will be shared $3 per ticket for 2022 and for 2023-26 at the higher of $5.06 per ticket or 10% of the average price if a sellout. The figure increases to $5.75 for 2027-28.

Retirement

Players will each get a 401(k) plan and the USSF will match up to 5% of a player’s compensation, subject to IRS limits. That money will be deducted from the shares of commercial revenue.

Child care

Child care, covered for women for more than 25 years, will be extended to men during national team training camps and matches.

“We saw it as an opportunity, an opportunity to be leaders in this front and join in with the women’s side and U.S. Soccer. So we’re just excited that this is how we were able to get the deal done,” said Walker Zimmerman, a defender who is part of the U.S. National Team Players Association leadership group.