The United States government has passed a bill to ensure equal pay between its senior men’s and women’s teams.
In May of this year, US Soccer reached an agreement with both national teams to achieve equal pay between the two sides – including identical pay structures for men and women and equal distribution of World Cup prize money.
The announcement settled a long-running legal battle between US Soccer and the women’s team.
Now, The Equal Pay for Team USA Act, which was passed on Wednesday, will require all athletes representing the United States in global competition to receive equal pay and benefits in their sport, regardless of gender.
Team USA at the men’s World Cup in Qatar
The act covers America’s 50-plus national sports and requires the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee to handle oversight. The bill will now be passed to President Joe Biden.
US Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone said: “By sending this legislation to the President, both houses have sent a clear message that this is the standard for all National Teams in all sports and it underscores the importance of working with our athletes to achieve equal pay including equalizing international prize money.”
How will equal pay in US soccer work?
US Soccer said in May that “first of their kind” collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) were set in place until the end of 2028, to ensure men’s and women’s…
