For most of the public, the U.S. Soccer Federation immediately was on the losing
ID: 385026 • Letter: F
Question
For most of the public, the U.S. Soccer Federation immediately was on the losing side of the PR battle, with many people going on social (and other) media to express their outrage and support for their USWNT heroes (though it is doubtful that many of those same members of the public had ever actually put their time and money where their mouth is by actually going to a live women's pro soccer match to support the amazing ladies who practice/play under less than ideal economic and infrastructural circumstances...).
That said, if you were on the communications professional representing the Federation who needed to explain to a reporter how the USWNT members were wrong, that the differences in wages are not discrimination, in what would you say in order to persuasively make out US Soccer's case? (I'm not saying they are right or wrong; that is just your position in your role....). Don't worry about legal statutes, regulations or case decisions; just do whatever online research you think appropriate and give your best shot such that any member of the public could understand your position.
In your estimation, what is the strongest argument the USWNT players have?
What's your personal opinion on this battle and why?
Have you ever attended a USWNT, NWSL or other pro women's soccer match? Why or why not?
Explanation / Answer
As a communications professional of U.S. Soccer Federation, I would stress on the work aspect to explain the differences in wages. I would say that the male soccer players have to play a much more competitive game and the physical stamina required is a great deal higher in the men’s game compared to the women’s game as the men players have to play at a faster pace and often the game is more physical in their case. Further, the competing teams in a soccer world cup for the men are well established teams and many of them have won the world cup more than a couple of times (some of the prominent examples being Brazil, Germany, Italy). Also, the men’s team has to play laboriously sixteen games for two years to qualify in the soccer world cup whereas the women’s team has to play only five games over a period of two weeks.
The strongest argument which the USWNT players have is the issue of gender equality and equal rights for women. Another biggest plus point for the US women soccer players is their win in 2015 soccer world cup, an accomplishment which the men’s team has not had yet.
My personal opinion is that the pay gap between men and women’s soccer teams should be considerably reduced with a slightly marginal higher pay for the men (because of the extra physical hardships and competitiveness that they have to face). Moreover, the bonuses and the per match compensation should be distributed commensurate with the revenue earned in each match. Also efforts should be made to make women’s soccer more popular in USA.
I have not physically attended NSWL, USWNT or any other pro-women’s soccer match. But I definitely intend to do so in the future.
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