USSF President says USWNT earn more money than men…

What is it about American presidents and controversial statements?

After a successful for summer on and off the pitch, the USWNT have become world champions once again and perhaps more poignantly, taken the moment to champion gender equality in sport and in life. However, with their backs up against the wall from the pressure put on them by some of their star athletes, the United States Soccer Federation has come out and said something rather dismissive.

Apparently an avid mathematician, too, Carlos Cordeiro, president of the USSF, has announced that in spite of recent outcry, USA’s female players actually earn more than their men. The problem? Well, to name but a few, his statistics seem a little fuzzy and more so, the efforts for gender equality in sport are not solely about the wages of the World Champions, but women as a whole in football.

The statements have caused a lot of anger over in the States and Molly Levinson, spokesperson for the USWNT, has put out the following statement:

“Here is what they cannot deny: For every game a man plays on the MNT, he makes a higher base salary payment than a woman on the WNT. For every comparable win or tie, his bonus is higher. That is the very definition of gender discrimination. For the USSF to believe otherwise is disheartening, but it only increases our determination to obtain true equal pay. If the USSF cannot agree to this at the upcoming mediation, we will see them in the court of law and the court of public opinion.”

The ball is now very much back in Mr Cordeiro’s court as, admirably, these talented athletes continue the hard work even after the trophy has been lifted. Expect to hear a lot more on this.