The USSF and the women's team announced a deal on Tuesday in which the players will divide $22 million, almost one-third of the compensation they requested. Megan Rapinoe has hailed the victorious conclusion of a six-year court struggle over pay equality between American soccer's ruling body and its international women's players as a "monumental win."
The USSF has agreed to set up a $2 million fund to support players in their post-soccer careers. Also, charitable work was geared at promoting the sport for women.
Megan Rapinoe has long advocated forcefully and articulately for equal pay and has many achievements to her name. However, this achievement eclipses everything she has accomplished on the court.
In an interview with ESPN, she said, "There's no real justice in this other than this never happening again. With the settlement of the working conditions and this settlement which is contingent upon a CBA that will have equal pay going forward, there's no other way to look at it than just a monumental win for women's sports and women's soccer, in particular."
"For our generation, knowing that we're going to leave the game in an exponentially better place than when we found it is everything. That's what it's all about. Because, to be honest, there is no justice in all of this. If we don't make sure it never happens again," Rapinoe added shortly.
A new labour contract is yet to be agreed upon and approved to substitute the one that ends on March 31. However, the agreement is still a huge step forward.