Team USA Equal Pay Bill Seen as Historic Win for Gender Equality
February 3, 2023
Last month, US President Joe Biden signed the Cantwell-Capito Equal Pay for Team USA Act into law. Following a hard-fought battle for equal pay by the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT), the new law requires that all athletes representing the United States in international amateur athletic competitions - such a the World Cup, Olympics and Paralympics - receive equal compensation and benefits for their work, regardless of gender.
Previously, athletes could be compensated differently for representing Team USA in the same sport. Inequities have existed for decades – from the women’s national teams in many sports being paid consistently less, to women’s teams flying in coach to games while men sat in business class and waiting months for medical reimbursements. Although there’s been some progress, this federal law encompasses all US sports and will benefit all players.
The legislation covers the country's 50 national sports governing bodies including US Soccer, USA Volleyball and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) - which will also conduct oversight and report on compliance. The bipartisan law requires that all sports governing bodies provide the same pay, medical care, travel accommodations and coverage of expenses to US athletes regardless of gender or risk of decertification. Each national governing body for a sport must report annually on compliance.
“When American athletes compete on the world stage, they represent our great nation, our people and our values. Therefore, it’s only right that female athletes receive the same kind of pay and benefits as their male counterparts and this legislation does just that,” said Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), who championed the bill with Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.)
Senators Cantwell and Capito first introduced the Equal Pay for Team USA Act in 2019 after the US Women's National Soccer Team sued for equal pay. However, the fought was initiated well before in 2016 by USWNT players Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Rebecca Sauerbrunn and Hope Solo, when they filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission asking for the same pay as the US Men’s National Team. The 2019 gender discrimination lawsuit was resolved in February 2022 with a $24 million settlement.
Senators Cantwell and Capito re-introduced the then bill in 2022, which passed the Committee on June 22, 2022 – the eve of the 50th anniversary of Title IX. It went on to pass the Senate and House in December of last year where the senators thanked the USWNT players who led the charge in US soccer and inspired the momentum of the legislation.