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U.S. Soccer Federation Moves For Summary Judgment in Equal Pay Case


At the end of February, the U.S. Soccer Federation moved for summary judgment in response to the equal pay case filed by about 50 players from the women's national soccer team.  (For those unaware of the legal proceedings, a motion for summary judgment is a pretrial matter that seeks to have judgment awarded to the claimant/s or have the case dismissed, which is what this motion seeks to do.)

Readers will likely recall that the lawsuit came about after the players claimed they were paid less than their male counterparts, on the unlawful basis of their gender.  After attempts to reach a settlement fell apart, litigation began to ramp up.  The filing of this motion for summary judgment is the next phase of this case inching closer to trial.

As for the U.S. Soccer Federation's motion itself, it is claimed that any alleged pay disparity between the male and female soccer players on the U.S. National Team is a result of the players' union.  The motion argues that during contract negotiations, the union put child care and salary guarantees ahead of potential bonus money.  The argument follows that because the players' union prioritized different matters, no valid equal pay claim exists because any pay disparity is a result of a negotiation and compromise during contract negotiations.

No response has yet been filed by the players, but I would expect one in the coming weeks.  While I question whether the motion for summary judgment would actually be granted, there might be some merit to the U.S. Soccer Federation's argument here, if true.


For a copy of the U.S. Soccer Federation's motion for summary judgment:  https://static.reuters.com/resources/media/editorial/20200224/morganvussoccer--soccerSJmotion.pdf

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