Equal Pay Chants At World Cup

Equal Pay Chants At World Cup Resound Across America

Just over the Fourth of July weekend (2019), the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team dominated (2-0) for the World Cup, taking home the team’s fourth world championship title. Amidst the crowd, however, there were more than shouts of joy and expressions of excitement—the celebrating fans clearly chanted “Equal Pay, Equal Pay”. And it isn’t a far reach to wonder why—but it is a wonder why nothing has been done to change the fact that women, including the four-time world champions that make up the National Women’s Soccer team, are paid less than men. Sometimes, the pay gap is significantly noticeable while in other instances the pay gap is smaller as companies are recognizing the turning tides (the United States Soccer Federation not among those, however).

FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) has ranked, for decades, the U.S. Women’s Team as number one.

Let that sink in for just a moment.

Decades at the top of the FIFA rankings and yet, the female American soccer team members are paid less than half of that of the men’s team (38 cents to their dollar to be exact).

Here is a nifty chart to show just how big of a pay gap there is (courtesy of cc.com/equalpay):

As you can see, based on the numbers and comparing to the quality of the Women’s National Soccer Team, the pay difference just makes no sense. And these women have known it—back in May (May 8th, International Women’s Day, to be exact), the team filed a lawsuit United States Soccer Federation because of this massive (and unjust) pay gap (which is still ongoing).

There are many in support of the team and their request for equal pay and others who suggest the team should actually be making significantly more than the men’s team… since, you know, the men’s team only ranks 30th in the world.

Due to the outrage and increasing media attention (and possibly the lawsuit), Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced a new bill that would restrict federal funding unless the United States Soccer Federation coughs up equal pay amongst its players—regardless of their gender.

The bill reads “No federal funds may be appropriated or otherwise made available to provide support for the 2026 World Cup, including support for a host city, a participating State or local agency, the United States Soccer Federation, the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), or the Federation de Football Association (FIFA), until the date on which the United States Soccer Federation agrees to provide equitable pay.”

While this is a start, it did take a lawsuit and worldwide media attention to garner any movement in the right direction.
So, remember ladies—don’t stop pushing. Reapply your lipstick (or don’t, if that’s your thing too) and
attack.

Sources:
New York Times
New York Times, Senator Manchin Bill
Vox