Pay to Play

Mr.Soccer · Oct 28, 2002

I read an article this past weekend that stated that the Canadian National Team members may boycott the games unless they receive more money to play. They were offered $3500 a game and they want $7500 a game instead. Did anyone else read this? And if so, did they receive the increase.

Now the big question. What do the US players receive for playing in games? And do they only receive it if they actually get into the game? Looking for answers? Thank you.

FearM9 · Oct 28, 2002

For info on the Canadian drama go here...Elo has done a good job of keeping everyone up to date on stuff:

https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=1934&perpage=15&pagenumber=10

The USWNT got a new contract in early 2000 I believe. Dang. I do believe the info is out there regarding their compensation for games and what not. I am sure someone can dig that up for you.

EDIT

I guess that someone is me. Dang I don't have a life eh?

http://tsn.sportingnews.com/voices/grahame_l._jones/20000201.html

The good thing about the settlement, under which U.S. Soccer will guarantee veteran players such as Joy Fawcett and Kristine Lilly a minimum of $60,000 a year and younger, less-experienced players such as Lorrie Fair a minimum of $42,000 annually, is that the dispute is finally over.

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The issue of the women having parity with men apparently has been resolved. They will get the same $2,000-per-game appearance fee that the men's national team players receive. And should Heinrichs drop any veterans from the team in the lead-up to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, those cut will receive three months' severance pay. As for bonuses for winning the gold medal in Sydney, neither Contiguglia nor Rothenberg would field the question.
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http://www.soccertimes.com/wagman/2000/feb01.htm

In press reports based on leaked information, the women were said have negotiated a deal paying them $5,000 a month in-residence salary (up from $3,100 in their previous contract) plus appearance fees equal to what the U.S. men are paid ($2,000 per match). Add to this various bonuses for things like winning the gold medal in the Summer Olympics in Sydney in September, and you reach calculations such as the one made by the New York Times, that the women stand to make about $130,000 from U.S. Soccer in salary, fees and bonus in the coming year.

But as was made clear in the today’s news conference announcing the agreement, the $5,000 monthly salary is actually a guarantee against appearance fees. It means that each women in residence will make at least $5,000 a month, but probably not too much more.

For instance, in the month of March, the U.S. women are slated to play four matches in the Algarve Cup in Portugal. The assumption was that women who played in all four matches would make a total of $13,000. That's wrong. If a women plays in all four matches, she will make $8,000, plus a share of any bonus money the team earns. If she plays in only three, she will make $6,000. If less than three, then only the $5,000 guarantee.

Right now, if the U.S. goes to the final of every tournament it is entered into this year, and that includes the Olympics, and plays the maximum number of friendlies on the schedule, the most matches a woman could play would be about 33. That would mean the maximum in appearance fees of about $66,000, plus various bonuses. Even if the women win everything, it is doubtful any women will earn more than about $90,000 this year, or well less than some of the early estimates.
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http://www.nytimes.com/library/sports/soccer/013000soc-uswomen.html

If the Americans win gold medals in the 2000 Summer Olympics and meet all their contract incentives, each could earn about $130,000 in salary and bonuses this year. The players would also have the right to conduct their own indoor victory tour, which paid each participant about $100,000 last fall after the 1999 Women's World Cup. The contract extends through the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens and is partly contingent on the formation of a professional women's league, which is expected to begin play in 2001.

After the players agreed to the new contract in a conference call with their Philadelphia-based attorney, John Langel, they began preparing to report Tuesday to training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for a game next Sunday against Norway. The team had boycotted a recent tournament in Australia after rejecting an offer from the United States Soccer Federation, saying the contract was insulting. Younger players were sent to that tournament, but they had since agreed with the veterans to hold out from competition until a contract was signed. This solidarity gave the team a stronger bargaining position, players said yesterday.

"I think we've worked out something that will help the future of women's soccer," said Carla Overbeck, the team captain. "It's unfortunate it had to come to this. We've always wanted to play. I'm proud our younger players were on board with us as far as not playing until the contract was worked out."

Under the terms of the agreement, according to people familiar with it, players will be guaranteed a minimum salary of $5,000 a month through September as they prepare for the Olympics in Sydney, Australia, next September.

The players may make more than $5,000 a month because of appearance fees and bonuses. Each player will receive an appearance fee of $2,000 for each of the 27 preparatory matches leading up to the Summer Games, plus a $1,000 bonus for defeating teams that have qualified for the Olympics. Another bonus will be paid for winning pre-Olympic tournaments. If the fees and bonuses exceed the minimum guarantee of $5,000 per month, the players will receive the higher salary.

Under the 1999 World Cup contract, the players were paid according to seniority by the federation, with the veterans receiving $3,150 per month, plus $150 per game. The possible appearance fee of $2,000 per game puts the women on equal footing with the American men, who earn their base salaries from professional leagues.

Under the new contract, the team will receive a $200,000 signing bonus to be distributed among the players invited to the Olympic training camp. If 25 players are invited to camp, that would amount to $8,000 per player. Each of the 18 players who make the Olympic team will receive an additional $10,000 roster bonus. A per-player bonus structure has also been established regarding the order of finish in the Olympics: $44,444 for the gold medal, $22,222 for silver, $8,333 for bronze and $5,555 for fourth place. Members of a victorious Olympic team would also earn $27,777 apiece for five outdoor matches following the Summer Games.

For the 1999 World Cup, the players each received a bonus of $12,500 from the federation, which was supplemented by a bonus of $37,500 apiece from the World Cup organizing committee.

The new contract will provide some long-term guarantees and will be tied to a formula that keeps women's salaries in alignment with men's salaries. The women will still be guaranteed the $5,000 monthly salary in 2001. After that, assuming that players will be receiving salaries from a new league, the women would be paid a $2,000 appearance fee per national-team match from the federation. If no league forms, the contract will be reopened.
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fidlerre · Oct 28, 2002

Originally posted by Mr.Soccer
They were offered $3500 a game and they want $7500 a game instead.
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so they want 4 X's what the u.s. women get paid per game appearance? seems a little much...

luvdagame · Oct 28, 2002

doesn't the start of the wusa change all that u.s. soccer contract $$? they're not in residence any more!!

or am i misunderstanding this?

Jo · Oct 28, 2002

Originally posted by luvdagame
doesn't the start of the wusa change all that u.s. soccer contract $$? they're not in residence any more!!

or am i misunderstanding this?
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According to the material quoted by Fear up above:

The new contract will provide some long-term guarantees and will be tied to a formula that keeps women's salaries in alignment with men's salaries. The women will still be guaranteed the $5,000 monthly salary in 2001. After that, assuming that players will be receiving salaries from a new league, the women would be paid a $2,000 appearance fee per national-team match from the federation. If no league forms, the contract will be reopened.
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M9fanatic · Oct 29, 2002

thanks for the info Fear.

As to the Canadians.... are we talking US dollars or Canandian?

gousa9 · Oct 29, 2002

Originally posted by M9fanatic
As to the Canadians.... are we talking US dollars or Canandian?
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obviously canadian $$s, keep it mind...

we've reached an agreement:

CSA Reaches Agreement with Women’s World Cup Team

Tuesday, October 29, 2002 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CSA REACHES AGREEMENT WITH WOMEN’S TEAM
Compensation Package Is Agreed Upon For Women’s Gold Cup and Women’s World Cup

Victoria, British Columbia – The Canadian Soccer Association announced today it has reached an agreement with the Women’s World Cup Team which will see the players receive a minimum of $2,000 (18 x $2,000 = $36,000) per player for appearing in the Gold Cup.

Should the team advance to the semi-final and win it (thus earning one of two berths in the Women’s World Cup), then a further $5,500 (18 x $5,500 = $99,000) per player will be awarded.

Should the team win the Gold Cup, a further $2,000 (18 x 2,000 = $36,000) per player will be paid, a possible winnings total of $171,000 to the players.

No bonuses will be given out if the team finishes any lower than second.

In addition, an agreement was reached on a compensation package should the team reach the Women’s World Cup. Each player would receive an appearance fee of $3,500 (20 x 3,500 = $70,000). Other bonuses include $3,000 (20 x 3,000 = $60,000) for winning the opening round and up to $10,000 (20 x 10,000 = $200,000) per player for winning the World Cup.

This concludes all discussion on player compensation with regards to the Women’s program.
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i'm just glad it's all settled, and that they're gonna play tomorrow....

elaine

LomaB8 · Nov 1, 2002

Originally posted by M9fanatic
thanks for the info Fear.

As to the Canadians.... are we talking US dollars or Canandian?
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Uh yeah cause we always pay our players in foreign currency

LomaB8 · Nov 1, 2002

Re: Re: Pay to Play

Originally posted by fidlerre

so they want 4 X's what the u.s. women get paid per game appearance? seems a little much...
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US women get $2000 per "friendly" appearance. No word on how much they are getting at the Gold Cup. Canadian women get de nada for friendly appearance but the Canadian men get paid.