Female Soccer Players Want Pay Parity With Their Male Counterparts
PLACENTIA (CBSLA.com) — Hollywood actresses have long complained about not making as much money as their male counterparts.
They have nothing on female soccer stars.
Hope Solo and other star soccer players, namely Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sauerbrunn, are filing a federal complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, claiming pay discrimination.
Despite having more success on the men on the field, they are paid way below what the men are by the US Soccer Federation. The women's team reportedly generated nearly $20 million more revenue last year than the men's team, but the women are paid about four times less.
The women's team is expected to make $17.7 million for 27 matches next year. The men's team will rake in $9 million for playing just 12 matches.
In bonus money, the women can earn about $75,000 at the World Cup, while men can earn almost $400,000.
"The numbers speak for themselves," Solo said in a statement. "We are the best in the world, have three World Cup Championships, four Olympic Championships, and the USMNT get paid more just to show up than we get paid to win major championships."
On Twitter, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton weighed in on the issue.
"Wouldn't want to face these women on the field or in the courtroom. Every woman deserves equal pay."
Young women who play the sport readily agree.
KCAL9's Stacey Butler spoke to budding players Thursday night who think equal pay is a simple concept.
"A lot of men nowadays are very sexist towards us women and it's not right. Equal pay -- men should have respect for us women," said Angelica Ecevesquives.
The secretary of the Orange County Women's Soccer League thinks it's about time women fight for equal pay for equal and sometimes better play.
"They bring in more money, they have more viewers. It's just not right," said Megan Ferguson of the OC Women's League.
Butler also found a lot of support from men connected to the game.
"Women deserve equal as a man because they play, they practice hard, number one in the world," said coach Jose Ramirez.
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