The United States saw the birth of a “historic” agreement in the world of football, this Wednesday, May 18, 2022. From now on, the American women’s and men’s teams will receive the same salaries.
It was time. After years of negotiations and hard fighting, athletes from the men’s and women’s soccer teams in the United States will have the same salaries. This agreement, judged as “historical”, therefore puts an end to a dispute that has resulted in the loss of many sponsors and several million dollars in legal costs for both parties. It is therefore a great step forward and a world first for women’s football. Especially since the American Football Federation has even announced that from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the 2023 Women’s World Cup, bonuses will be paid equally between the two teams. Indeed, the athletes have been informed that they could perceive average annual payments of approximately $450,000. Remuneration that will potentially be doubled during successful World Cup years, according to the New York Times.
“The two collective agreements, which run until 2028, guarantee equal pay thanks to identical economic conditions. These economic conditions include identical compensation for all competitions, including the FIFA World Cup, and the introduction of the same commercial revenue sharing for both teams. Thanks to these agreements, the players of the American national team will remain among the highest paid in the world“US Soccer said in a statement.
“Changing the Game Worldwide”
Obviously, these agreements are a real symbol in the quest for equality between men’s and women’s football. “This is a historic moment. These agreements have changed the game forever here in the United States and have the potential to change the game worldwide“shared Cindy Parlow Cone, president of the federation, before adding: “US Soccer and the players of the USWNT (United States Women’s Team) and USMNT (United States Men’s Team) have reset the basics of their relationship with these new agreements, and are moving us forward towards aan incredibly exciting new phase of mutual growth and collaboration, as we pursue our mission to become the preeminent sport in the United States.”