The U.S. men’s and women’s national soccer teams struck a labor deal that closes the contentious pay gap between the squads, an unprecedented step that will equalize both salaries and bonuses, providing a substantial boost to the decorated women’s team.
The deal was part of new collective bargaining agreements with the U.S. Soccer Federation that were announced Wednesday morning. It was the culmination of a long battle between the women’s team and the sport’s national governing body, which included a high-profile lawsuit that was settled this year.
The USSF said the agreement makes the United States the first country to achieve equal pay for its men’s and women’s soccer teams.