Without this case, how much chance would Rapinoe have of running for office some day? Even if they don't win any money from it, it's paid off for her, at least.
But the bonus does come from USSF. FIFA pays USSF. USSF then pays the team. The amount is determined ahead of time in the CBA. As an example, as we don't know the real numbers, it could be the Men have a bonus for winning the WC of $23 million. The women signed a deal that gave them a bonus of $4 million. The women want the $23 million the men's deal had, saying they were never offered that. They certainly argued for it with a straight face in Federal court. But in reviewing the CBA negotiations, there was never any real push to get that kind of bonus. It is possible that if they gave up health benefits, maternity leave, guaranteed salaries, support for the NWSL, per game Friendly bonuses, they could have signed a CBA with a $23 million WC win bonus. But they never came close to wanting to do that. Until they won the WC two years later.
OK, it is now obvious that US Soccer hated the women so much that they sabotaged the men's team so they couldn't make the WC and therefore helped their case against the women. This solves every problem that has come up for last few years.
Of course they haven't said "match the FIFA money". They said pay as much as the men would have gotten if they won their WC. They were suing for 67 million in back pay and there were comments from the players that they should be paid like WC champions France. Of course, that's essentially the same thing.
We were traveling in Europe last summer during the WWC. I was interested in catching a game or two, but this was simply not possible. I was unable to find any games on TV in any country that I visited. On the other hand, the very minor Croatia-Wales UEFA qualifying match was on mulitple channels in Croatia, and was well-attended in Zagreb. Outside of the USA, Netherlands, Sweden, and a few other countries, no one cares about the womens' game. I coached girls' soccer, and respect the differences. It's an inferior game to the mens' game.
Right, all makes sense, and of course I agree. Just thought I had read the men had separate bonuses from USSF (in that 64-68k range), but maybe those ones were also by way of the (lesser) bonuses from FIFA for making tourney, knockout stages, etc...
I'm sure they do. Most are most likely tied in some way to FIFA prize money or partnership/sponsor deals. For instance, a bonus for making the WC would more than be covered by increased sponsor deals as well as FIFA prize money.
"Likely" isn't strong enough, IMO. It's quite clear that the CBA's for the MNT and WNT have been created based on projections of revenues and payouts for both teams. Hence why the USSF would never offer the WNT 100 million dollars for winning the WWC, something that's likely to happen because we're a favorite every year. And why the USMNT would probably rather maximize their WC R16 incentive rather than their WC-winning incentive.
FYI: I just deleted some comments having to do with presidential election politics and one that had a personal attack in it.
It really is a shame too... It’s a shame because if there was not all this ranting and raving attached to it - that’s just outright obnoxious; the women’s game could be appreciated and enjoyed for what it is... an avenue for female role models to young girls, a nice day out with the family, and hell, maybe even some eye candy - in some circles. But it was never going to replace or come anywhere near equal to the men’s game. I’m sorry, but I am not in awe of female athletics. It’s just not that impressive. That’s my personal opinion - of course. But to me, and to many others, it’s the equivalent of watching a JV boy’s soccer game. In other words, I could enjoy cheering on my local team and would like to take my family to a game - especially if I had a kid who was particularly interested (note that my daughter would rather pluck out her eyeballs than go to a sporting event). But I’m not going to have this internal dialogue that goes, man these kids are like watching Lionel Messi and it’s exciting to witness these superhuman things! No one is better than they are. No, because the truth is that if the best ever US Women’s team played the best men’s team, they would be destroyed 75-0. And it might be generous to say that these women could stop the best men from scoring about one goal for every minute played. But it’s an even bigger shame because people cannot call out common sense anymore, out of fear of upsetting some lunatic. And this lowest common denominator approach - where the only thing that matters is not upsetting the weakest link - is an awful way of dictating sports, or anything else, in this country.
Rush, this isn't your radio show, you can't just hang up on me when I make fun of your multiple failed marriages.
While I don’t envy the task of moderating an Internet forum in an election year, I’m not sure either of my posts qualified as either.
To them, that’s a distinction that somehow isn’t a difference. Expecting USSF to bridge a $64 million dollar gap in prize money from a different organization just because that’s what the men would get is pretty crazy.
Really great analysis. Thanks for sharing. The ending was pretty fantastic as well... "Square-wheeled caboose" feels about right for the men's program right now.