To view the video of the signing ceremony, click here.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) match against Nigeria on Tuesday evening, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, joined leaders of U.S. Soccer, USWNT and the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (USMNT) for the signing of historic Collective Bargaining Agreements, which guarantee players are paid equally. The fight for equal pay inspired the senators’ bipartisan Equal Pay for Team USA Act, which would require equal pay and benefits for all Team USA athletes who represent the United States in global athletic competitions, like the Olympics, regardless of gender.
“It was an honor to celebrate the United States Women’s National Soccer teams historic Collective Bargaining Agreement with the team,” Senator Capito said. “For decades, women have been treated as less than equal to their male counterparts in compensation, benefits, medical treatment, playing conditions, and travel. I am proud to support and be an advocate for equal and fair play, and I hope to see other organizations follow the leadership set by U.S. Soccer on behalf of young girls across our country.”
Earlier this year, the USWNT settled their longstanding gender discrimination lawsuit against U.S. Soccer, reaching an agreement on a deal to be compensated at the same rate of pay as the men’s team. The two new Collective Bargaining Agreements, which run through 2028, achieve equal pay through identical economic terms for both the men and women’s teams. These economic terms include identical compensation models for all competitions, including the FIFA World Cup, and the introduction of the same commercial revenue sharing mechanism for both teams.
The ceremony was emceed by World Cup champion and ESPN commentator Julie Foudy. Fans also heard from U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) Secretary Marty Walsh, U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone, Women’s National Team players, and a message from tennis player Billie Jean King.
The bipartisan Equal Pay for Team USA Act would require that all athletes representing the United States in global amateur athletic competitions receive equal compensation and benefits for their work, regardless of gender. It also would require equal payment for medical care, travel, and expenses.
The bill applies to 50 different sports’ national governing bodies, and it requires the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) to conduct oversight and the USOPC and national governing bodies to report on compliance with the legislation.
Senators Capito and Cantwell introduced the bipartisan legislation in July 2021 and it passed the Commerce Committee on June 22, 2022. The legislation is currently awaiting final vote by the full Senate.
Organizations Supporting the Equal Pay for Team USA Act:
Photos from the event are included below:
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), U.S. Women’s Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone, U.S Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and U.S. Soccer Foundation CEO Ed Foster-Simeon attend the signing ceremony for the historic equal pay agreement in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and USWNT Player Alex Morgan and her daughter attend the signing ceremony for the historic equal pay agreement in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.
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