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The United States women’s national team is once again at the top of the soccer world. On Sunday, July 7, the USWNT claimed its history-making fourth World Cup title with a 2-0 win over the Netherlands at Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Décines-Charpieu, France.
Throughout the tournament, the United States women have been making waves with their incredible play on the pitch.
Off the field, they have also been creating headlines whether it be due to their celebrations, willingness to discuss political issues and their fight for equal pay.
Well, their message on equal pay certainly resonated with the crowd in attendance for the World Cup Final with the fans at Parc Olympique Lyonnais joining in a chant of “Equal Pay” as the USWNT celebrated their championship.
Those who say that the wage gap is fair often point to television ratings or revenue. However, their stance is not based in fact. Because actually, women’s matches have been bringing in more revenue on average than their male counterparts.
From 2016 to 2018, women’s games generated $50.8 million in revenue, compared with $49.9 million for the men’s matches, according to CNBC. There is also the fact that the United States women’s national team home kit is Nike’s highest-selling soccer jersey. Despite that, the USWNT players do not see nearly as much money as the less successful men’s team.
For winning the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the United States women’s national team will split a $4 million prize. The United States Soccer Federation awarded the men’s national team $5.375 million for losing in the Round of 16 in the 2018 World Cup.
Now that they have a fourth World Cup title, their fight can continue and they have a stronger case than ever before.
“At this moment of tremendous pride for America, the sad equation remains all too clear, and Americans won’t stand for it anymore,” U.S. women’s players association said in a statement, via ESPN. “These athletes generate more revenue and garner higher TV ratings, but get paid less simply because they are women. It is time for the federation to correct this disparity once and for all.”
