Women’s Team Sues U.S. Soccer

“Women’s Team Sues U.S. Soccer”

By: Rachel Bachman
Mar 8, 2019

https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-womens-soccer-team-alleges-gender-discrimination-11552059299?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=1
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/07/10/senate-bill-would-block-federal-funds-world-cup-until-uswnt-gets-equal-pay/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.fbd59f101b35
(Links to an external site.)

https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-popular-womens-world-cup-raises-pressure-for-more-prize-money-11562597081
(Links to an external site.)

https://www.businessinsider.com/us-womens-national-team-world-cup-pay-vs-men-2019-7
(Links to an external site.)

https://www.npr.org/2020/03/13/815272925/head-of-u-s-soccer-resigns-amid-pay-dispute-with-womens-national-team
(Links to an external site.)

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RECAP: In March of 2019, all 28 of the players in the current U.S. player pool sued the U.S. Soccer Federation in U.S. District Court in LA, alleging female players earn less than their U.S. Men’s National Team peers despite having the same job responsibilities and having had more success on the field.

After reading the articles above (use can use the Bankier Library’s data base or find articles on your own) answer the following QUESTIONS:

1. Summarize the statistics presented (how many World Cups and Olympic golds, etc.). Is this a gender equality issue?

2. The suit, which seeks class-action status, is seeking what in damages?

3. How is this suit similar to a March 2016 complaint by five U.S. women’s soccer team players? How did that suit turn out?

4. Do you feel that the current members of the Women’s U.S. Soccer Team, that have recently won the World Cup, have a legitimate complaint? If so, do you feel it will be addressed in the near future?

5. Do you feel it was appropriate for Carlos Cordeiro, the president of the U.S. Soccer Federation, to step down (3/12/20) as head of the governing body after a controversial court filing in a lawsuit over equal pay for the women’s national team that appeared to disparage the athletic abilities of female players?

6. Recently, Federal Judge R. Gary Klausner rejected the women’s team’s argument over receiving lower pay than the U.S. men’s team and dismissed the claim of unequal working conditions. This was a major blow. Comment