U.S. Women’s Soccer Players bring glory; receive less

(Written for Women’s Rights NY)

By Saswat Pattanayak
New York, July 11, 2019

Women soccer players earn a maximum of $99,000 in total during the course of a 20-games season — $4,950 per game, while the payout for the male players is an average of $263,320, or $13,166 per game.

Despite the fact that Sunday’s match was one of the most watched soccer broadcasts ever in the US history, having attracted 14 million television viewers.

Also, despite the fact that half of the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF)’s revenue comes from women’s national team.

World Cup Soccer champion team with Gov. Cuomo (Photo by Saswat Pattanayak)

According to a Washington Post report, the women’s team brought in $8 million, compared to $350,000 generated by the men’s team. Even more importantly, women’s team resulted in $1 million expenses, whereas the men’s team incurred $2.7 million, resulting in lesser profit for the federation.

And yet, the current prize money for Women’s World Cup is $30 million, whereas for the Men’s World Cup, it is $400 million. For the 2023 Women’s World Cup, there will be a $30 million increase, whereas the increase for Men’s World Cup will be $40 million (in 2022).

These statistics are getting analyzed now after three world cup victories by the women’s team. Even without any victory, one would have supposed there be wage parity among the sexes. Especially after the disparity has already been duly acknowledged — and partially corrected — in Tennis.

Considering the fact that an unequal hike in prize money has already been declared for future World Cup appearances, it seems the end to this battle for equal pay is nowhere near.