Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

USSF blasts USWNT 'equal pay' doc portrayal

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Friday, 25 June 2021 08:21

U.S. Soccer and the United States women's national team continued to clash on Thursday after the governing body accused a lawyer working for the squad in their equal pay lawsuit of showing "a concerning level of dishonesty" presenting "a misleading and inaccurate account of the facts" in a new documentary about the team's legal battle.

In a thread of 17 messages posted on Twitter, U.S. Soccer refuted a number of the claims made by lawyer Jeffrey Kessler in HBO's new documentary "LFG."

"In the new movie 'LFG,' there is a concerning level of dishonesty about U.S. Soccer and the USWNT's compensation that we feel must be addressed," the first Tweet said.

- Stream FC Daily on ESPN+
- Lewis: 2023 World Cup already boosting football in Oceania

"Specifically, lawyer Jeffrey Kessler presents a misleading and inaccurate account of the facts."

The documentary, which was released on Thursday, tells the story of the USWNT's equal pay lawsuit primarily through the eyes of their legal team as well as players Becky Sauerbrunn, Megan Rapinoe, Jessica McDonald, Kelley O'Hara and Sam Mewis.

"The USSF, regrettably, continues to try to rewrite the past, making up a narrative that it has offered an equal rate of pay to the world champion women players, but it has not," Kessler said in a statement when contacted by ESPN on Friday.

"It lashes out at the women players and me in a juvenile Twitter storm because it knows the truth -- and so does the rest of the world."

Speaking following the release of the documentary, Rapinoe said she would always be surprised by how the summary judgement went against them.

"I just will never not be shocked by the summary judgment," Rapinoe told People. "I'll never not be shocked by the things that they say. I'll never not be shocked by the positions that they've taken.

"It always hurts really to have, you know, not just anybody say that about you, but to have someone who sees you so up close all the time and understands all the work that you put in."

The USSF declined to take part in the documentary, with The Washington Post reporting that the USSF said it was approached late in the production and wasn't provided with enough information about the project.

The Twitter thread, released by the Federation, reiterates many of the arguments they made in their legal case.

"Kessler claims that 'merely for showing up and playing a game, the men get more per game than the women.' The facts: The men's and women's teams are represented by different unions and knowingly requested, and agreed to, different compensation models," USSF said.

"The USWNTPA [USWNT Players Association] asked for, and agreed to, a contract that provides a guaranteed salary of $100k and benefits, plus a bonus for matches. The men's contract is pay-for-play -- meaning they only get paid when they play. No guaranteed salary. No benefits.

"Are the bonuses smaller than the USMNT game bonuses? Yes, [because] the USWNTPA negotiated for a $100k salary and benefits. Kessler conveniently leaves out those two things and only compares bonuses. He also fails to mention the $90k+ salary U.S. Soccer pays for playing in the NWSL.

"This structure was preferred by the USWNT, as it ensures security and stability. If a player gets hurt on Jan. 2, she still gets paid her full salary (and NWSL salary). During COVID when there were no games USWNT still got paid every two [weeks and] benefits. USMNT got paid $0.

"While negotiating their last agreement signed in 2017, the USWNTPA turned down a pay-to-play structure, the exact same way the men's team is paid."

The USSF also refuted claims in the documentary about hotel accommodations, airplane travel, revenue generation, TV ratings and World Cup prize money.

"Our USWNT and USMNT are among the highest paid in the world, with the USWNT making more than almost every men's national team globally. We're confident that, working together, we can reach an agreement that benefits everyone moving forward," USSF added.

"We remain committed to building on the success of our teams and continuing to grow soccer here in the U.S. at every level of the game."

A federal judge granted a partial deal between the USWNT and the USSF in April over unequal working conditions.

This allowed the squad to appeal a decision in May 2020 which saw the equal pay portion of their lawsuit, originally filed in March 2019, thrown out.

USSF president Cindy Parlow Cone said on June 15 that asking the federation "to make up the difference in FIFA prize money [one of the key requests in the USWNT's lawsuit] is untenable, and would likely bankrupt" them.

Read 417 times

Soccer

Kane: England youth give Tuchel incredible options

Kane: England youth give Tuchel incredible options

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHarry Kane said incoming England coach Thomas Tuchel has been boost...

Weah 'moved on' from red card in Copa elimination

Weah 'moved on' from red card in Copa elimination

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsST. LOUIS -- United States midfielder Tim Weah said he has "moved o...

WSL: Everton down L'pool in derby, Man Utd win

WSL: Everton down L'pool in derby, Man Utd win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsEverton claimed a famous 1-0 victory in the last ever Women's Super...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Hornets' Ball fined $100K for using anti-gay term

Hornets' Ball fined $100K for using anti-gay term

EmailPrintCharlotte Hornets star guard LaMelo Ball was fined $100,000 after using an anti-gay term d...

Wolves' Edwards fined $35K for obscene gesture

Wolves' Edwards fined $35K for obscene gesture

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMinnesota Timberwolves All-Star guard Anthony Edwards was fined $35...

Baseball

Ex-Reds manager Bell joins Blue Jays' front office

Ex-Reds manager Bell joins Blue Jays' front office

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays hired former Cincinnati Reds manag...

Ferrara, who won 2 titles with Dodgers, dies at 84

Ferrara, who won 2 titles with Dodgers, dies at 84

EmailPrintFormer outfielder Al "The Bull" Ferrara died Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced. He...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated