Finally a Level Playing Field for Equal Pay in U.S. Soccer

Finally, we see a level playing field for equal pay in U.S. Soccer. Today is a momentous day in the fight for equal pay and closing the gender pay gap! At least it is in the sports arena as The United States Soccer Federation, the United States Women’s National Team Players Association, and the National Soccer Team Players Association announced Wednesday a landmark agreement that will guarantee national soccer teams equal pay and prize money, including at World Cups.

In addition to the landmark deal is a provision where the teams will pool the unequal prize money payments U.S. Soccer receives from FIFA (the world soccer’s governing body) for their participation in the quadrennial World Cup. The money to be shared equally among the members of both teams will start with the 2022 men’s tournament and the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Moreover, this provision appears to be the first of its kind and serves up US Soccer as a shining example for equal pay in sports worldwide.

I wrote these below words for the Equal Pay Day 2022 feature: “Level The Playing Field for Equal Pay Day.” In that feature I cited my Socially Sparked® closing words from the 2018 feature on Equal Pay Day:  “Closing the Gender Wage Gap by Social Media Storm.” 

“Women still have a ways to go before reaching a level “paying” field. While we can chalk some of the minimal gains over the last five years to the pandemic, that’s a small contributing factor here.” — 2022, ‘Level The Playing Field for Equal Pay Day’

“I wrote this four years ago: “2018 brings a renewed energy around the nation and the world to key social injustices. Movements as #Enough, #TimesUp and #MeToo already Socially Sparked® our lives and continue steamrolling ahead. Social Change is in the air.” Here’s to hoping the nation is ready to pick up where it left off in the beginning of the new decade of social justice and steamroll ahead.” — 2018 ‘Closing the Gender Wage Gap By Social Media Storm’

So I say again. Finally! A level playing field is born for equal pay. Well at least in the sports arena of soccer. Kudos to The United States Soccer Federation, the United States Women’s National Team Players Association, and the National Soccer Team Players Association for scoring what just may be the biggest goal of their collective lives. I dare to say “Social change is in the air.” — Abbe is Socially Sparked!  Tweet us @sosparkednews & @asparks01