Not long ago one of the biggest headlines in sports was the potential of a walkout from the USA Women’s soccer squad over salary and benefits disputes. After a strong PR campaign, it appears that the women won their fight and now their supporters are celebrating … for the most part.
The ladies are getting a well-earned raise, as well as larger bonuses and, another sticking point request, the same per diems as the guys.
The agreement comes after a new labor deal was struck between the players and US Soccer. In addition to the big issues such as pay and bonuses, the women’s team will also be granted “better hotel and travel accommodations,” according to an announcement published in various media outlets.
The deal runs through 2021, and, while that doesn’t seem like a long time, three or four years in the world of sports at this level can be an entire career. The time frame is more important, however, in that it will include two of the sport’s highest profile events, the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the 2020 Olympics.
entrepreneur Brandon Webb noted, “While the deal was, correctly, positioned as an issue related to a gender-based pay gap, a closer inspection proves that it’s not as much about gender equality as it is about teammate equality. Several of the stars on the women’s team – given their huge brand presence – already earn more than many of the players on the men’s squad, but the other women were not as properly compensated, despite routinely playing more games than the guys … by virtue of the fact that they tended to go deeper in international tournaments … though most folks were too polite to say so.”
While the deal was, correctly, positioned as an issue related to a gender-based pay gap, a closer inspection proves that it’s not as much about gender equality as it is about teammate equality. Several of the stars on the women’s team – given their huge brand presence – already earn more than many of the players on the men’s squad, but the other women were not as properly compensated, despite routinely playing more games than the guys … by virtue of the fact that they tended to go deeper in international tournaments … though most folks were too polite to say so.
But, when you look at the win-loss records, it’s fairly obvious. The women’s team not only goes deeper in tournaments, they won the Women’s World Cup in 2015. Despite these obvious reasons, US Soccer defended the lower salaries and fewer benefits by arguing that the guys bring in more money, so they should get more cash. Not a bad argument, but the women countered with: we’re a better product, which means a great deal in world competition. And that proved to be the more powerful position. Despite the noise about the men making more money, US Soccer realizes what it has in the women’s team … so they agreed to pay.
Now, thanks to the across the board deal, players at every level will see their pay packets increased and enjoy better benefits. A good win for the women, and, really for all of soccer.
Not long ago one of the biggest headlines in sports was the potential of a walkout from the USA Women’s soccer squad over salary and benefits disputes. After a strong PR campaign, it appears that the women won their fight and now their supporters are celebrating … for the most part.
The ladies are getting a well-earned raise, as well as larger bonuses and, another sticking point request, the same per diems as the guys.
The agreement comes after a new labor deal was struck between the players and US Soccer. In addition to the big issues such as pay and bonuses, the women’s team will also be granted “better hotel and travel accommodations,” according to an announcement published in various media outlets.
The deal runs through 2021, and, while that doesn’t seem like a long time, three or four years in the world of sports at this level can be an entire career. The time frame is more important, however, in that it will include two of the sport’s highest profile events, the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the 2020 Olympics.
entrepreneur Brandon Webb noted, “While the deal was, correctly, positioned as an issue related to a gender-based pay gap, a closer inspection proves that it’s not as much about gender equality as it is about teammate equality. Several of the stars on the women’s team – given their huge brand presence – already earn more than many of the players on the men’s squad, but the other women were not as properly compensated, despite routinely playing more games than the guys … by virtue of the fact that they tended to go deeper in international tournaments … though most folks were too polite to say so.”
While the deal was, correctly, positioned as an issue related to a gender-based pay gap, a closer inspection proves that it’s not as much about gender equality as it is about teammate equality. Several of the stars on the women’s team – given their huge brand presence – already earn more than many of the players on the men’s squad, but the other women were not as properly compensated, despite routinely playing more games than the guys … by virtue of the fact that they tended to go deeper in international tournaments … though most folks were too polite to say so.
But, when you look at the win-loss records, it’s fairly obvious. The women’s team not only goes deeper in tournaments, they won the Women’s World Cup in 2015. Despite these obvious reasons, US Soccer defended the lower salaries and fewer benefits by arguing that the guys bring in more money, so they should get more cash. Not a bad argument, but the women countered with: we’re a better product, which means a great deal in world competition. And that proved to be the more powerful position. Despite the noise about the men making more money, US Soccer realizes what it has in the women’s team … so they agreed to pay.
Now, thanks to the across the board deal, players at every level will see their pay packets increased and enjoy better benefits. A good win for the women, and, really for all of soccer.
Written by
Editorial Team
The Everything-PR Editorial Team produces reporting, research, and analysis across thirty verticals — communications, reputation, AI visibility, public affairs, media systems, and digital discovery in the answer-engine era. Publishing since 2009.
Other news
See all
Editorial Team · 05/19/2026
How Real Estate Brands Win in the GEO Era
How AI search, answer engines, property portals, and public-records systems are changing the way real estate brands and agents are discovered — and what determines whether a brand appears in an AI-generated answer. --- Someone considering…
Editorial Team · 05/19/2026
How Law Firms Win in the GEO Era
How AI search, answer engines, legal-information sites, and review systems are changing the way law firms and attorneys are discovered — and what determines whether a firm appears in an AI-generated answer. --- Someone who needs a lawyer used to…
Editorial Team · 05/19/2026
How Tech Brands Win in the GEO Era
How AI search, answer engines, review platforms, and developer communities are changing the way technology and software brands are discovered — and what determines whether a product appears in an AI-generated answer. --- Someone evaluating…
Never Miss a Headline
Daily PR headlines, weekly long-form analysis, and our proprietary research drops — straight to your inbox.