The U.S. Men’s Soccer Team are not fans of U.S. Soccer’s conclusions on women’s pay.
The U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team released a statement Tuesday criticizing US Soccer Federation President Carlos Cordeiro’s letter claiming that the women’s team actually make more than the men’s team. Their statement, which was given to Wall Street Journal reporter Rachel Bachman, said they supported the women’s team and that they were “not impressed” with Cordeiro’s letter.
U.S. men’s soccer team players association issues statement supporting U.S. women’s “pursuit of fair compensation,” and takes issue with US Soccer’s accounting in its letter yesterday: https://t.co/4zd2cXMNw1 pic.twitter.com/yXeDqTJLQ6
— Rachel Bachman (@Bachscore) July 30, 2019
“This is more of the same from a Federation that is constantly in disputes and litigation and focuses on increasing revenue and profits without any idea how to use that money to grow the sport,” the letter said.
The letter noted that while Cordeiro did account for the difference in pay structures, he did not mention how much profit from sponsorship, television, or marketing from both teams. Cordeiro also did not note how the bonus structure works for each team.
The men’s team also said they were surprised that the letter was written, as Cordeiro has not contacted their union and has still not begun renegotiating their CBA, which expired in 2018. They also said they are awaiting comment on a proposal to pay “the men a fair share of what they generate” and provide equal pay to both the men’s and women’s teams.
The letter was released this morning by Cordeiro citing the women’s base salary and payment for their club salaries in comparison to the lack of base salary for the men as evidence that the women are paid more. Cordeiro also said that the amount of revenue produced per game is much higher for the men and therefore different. A report from the Wall Street Journal found that the revenue produced by each team is almost the same.
Other critics of Cordeiro’s letter include Molly Levinson, a spokeswoman for the women’s team. She called the letter “a sad attempt by USSF to quell the overwhelming tide of support” for equal pay in U.S. Soccer.
Just received the statement from Molly Levinson, spokesperson for the #USWNT players, in reaction to the open letter from Carlos Cordeiro and the U.S. Soccer fact sheet.
“The USSF fact sheet is not a ‘clarification’. It is a ruse.”
Full statement ? pic.twitter.com/uBkHDTX8XA
— Meg Linehan (@itsmeglinehan) July 29, 2019
The letter comes as the U.S. Women’s team lawsuit against the USSF is approaching. The case claims gender discrimination on the part of the USSF. The case is expected to begin soon.
The U.S. Women’s Team will begin their victory tour on Aug. 3 against Ireland in the Rose Bowl.
