The United States Women’s National Team has long achieved pay parity with their male counterparts. Which included the decision in 2019 to file a case against US Soccer for gender discrimination. However, a judge dismissed the suit’s most salient concerns while leaving the door open for further discussion.
To that end, Congresswomen Doris Matsui and Rosa DeLauro introduced the “Give Our Athletes Level Salaries (GOALS) Act” in Congress, which aims to ensure that the USWNT receives “equal and equitable pay relative to the US Men’s Team.”
“In times both good and bad, sports connect us to one another and to our nation through our common bond to our beloved teams. The collective spirit and support for the U.S. Women’s National Team lift our entire nation up and inspires young women from coast-to-coast to pursue their passions and become the next generation of leaders,” Congresswoman Matsui said.
“Stars such as Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, and Carli Lloyd are household names, yet their hard work – which has brought our nation various World Cups including the most recent tournament – is grossly undervalued. From factory floors to the boardroom, to the soccer pitch of the world’s biggest stage, women everywhere perform the same job and do not get what they deserve – equal pay for equal work. The GOALS Act provides a clear message to the U.S. Soccer Federation – make real reforms to provide equal wages to their female athletes or sacrifice vital funds for the 2026 World Cup. I stand with our USWNT as we renew our commitment to end pay discrimination, close the wage gap and ensure women of all backgrounds have equity in the workplace.”
The Congresswomen clearly state in the act’s announcement that USWNT players “earn slightly less” than the Men’s National Team, while “doing the same work” and “making equivalent or more revenue.” Furthermore, the USWNT is undeniably the more competitive team in terms of wins and championship results.
“The concept is simple: women deserve equal pay for equal work,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “The U.S. Women’s National Team, women who have captivated the global soccer community, deserve the same compensation as their male counterparts. The U.S. Soccer Federation must be held accountable and end its discriminatory practices. The GOALS Act will bring our nation a step closer to equal pay for all professional athletes.”
The announcement of the bill being presented on March 8 coincides with International Women’s Day and the two-year anniversary of the original litigation. It’s unclear how this bill will be handled, but it’s a positive move forward in the fight for fair pay.
