Lately, a federal wage discrimination complaint has been filed stating the U.S. Soccer Federation pays women nearly a quarter of what it pays to men, said a report by ESPN. It is no secret for anyone that when it comes to sports, female athletes have been discriminated in many aspects when compared to male athletes.
The case has already caused heated debates between feminists and advocates for female rights as it seems pretty unfavorable for women to receive four times less than men. The issue of discrimination against women in sports becomes noticeable when the numbers begin to add up. According to the U.S. Soccer Federation’s report, the women’s national soccer team hauled over $23 million in revenues in the 2016 fiscal year.
This amount of revenues won by the women’s national soccer team not only rose above the expectations but also, it even outmatched the men’s national soccer team revenues for the season. And $23 million comes as a pretty amazing record, considering the Federation had predicted less than a third of revenue for this year. In addition, the members of the U.S. women’s national soccer team counts with the support of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in the legal battle against the U.S. Soccer Federation.
One of the five players currently involved in the wage-discrimination action against the Federation said that it is now clear that the U.S. Soccer Federation does not even consider giving them a reasonable pay for their winnings, compared to men. This action from the Federation leaves a great stain on its reputation, as the case between the five members of the U.S. women’s national soccer team is rapidly gaining attention nationwide.
Women’s national soccer team wins support nationwide
ESPN reports that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will begin the investigation on the case in order to conclude if the women’s national soccer team deserves compensation from the U.S. Soccer Federation. Nevertheless, this is not the first rodeo for the Federation regarding discrimination issues.
Furthermore, the U.S. women’s national team is set to solve this inequality issue once and for all, as the case is not about soccer, is about women getting undervalued in comparison to men. It is only just for women to won the same amount as men do for the exact counterpart of the sport.
The U.S. Soccer Federation, however, issued a statement where it described its reaction to the legal action taken by the women’s national soccer team as disappointing. Moreover, it released another statement late on Thursday where it claims that the Federation is open to negotiation.
As the Federation goes back and forward on its statements, hopefully for the women’s national soccer team, and women around the world, the legal actions will bring justice.
“Our efforts to be advocates for women’s soccer are unwavering,” said the statement released by the U.S. Soccer Federation.
Source: ESPN