The US Men's soccer team has been dealt a disappointing blow after their defeat by Belgium in the Men's World Cup. Their impressive run in the tournament, which saw them advance to the round of 16, was marred by a payout of $12.8 million, a significant portion of which they will have to share with the US Women's team.
According to the collective bargaining agreement, half of the men's winnings will be handed over to the women's team, a move that has been met with criticism from some quarters. The women's team, who are set to compete in the 2027 Women's World Cup, have not played a single minute in this cycle, yet they will still receive a share of the men's prize money.
The US Women's team has been at the forefront of the push for equal pay, with some players, including Megan Rapinoe, using their platform to advocate for change. However, the deal has been criticized for erasing differences in market value, risk, audience draw, and results. It has also been argued that it disincentivizes excellence on the men's side and removes pressure on the women's side to grow their own commercial appeal.
The collective bargaining agreement pools prize money across the men's 2026 and women's 2027 tournaments, meaning that the men's team will subsidize the women's side even though they played zero games in this cycle. This has led to accusations that the policy treats men's soccer as a "piggy bank" for "fairness," rather than a business rewarding what fans and sponsors actually value.
VP for Strategy Risk, Melissa Chen, has described the situation as "legalized plunder," comparing it to divorce proceedings where one party is forced to support the other despite not contributing to the household income. Chen argues that the men's team is being forced to hand over a huge chunk of their prize money to the women's team, despite not earning it.
The US Men's national soccer team has been praised for their patriotism and team spirit, with players standing with hands over hearts for the national anthem and gathering in prayer on the field after big wins. In contrast, the activist wing of the women's program has been criticized for their divisive stunts and political theater.
The deal has been hailed as a "landmark" victory for equity, but critics argue that it is a misguided policy that will ultimately harm the men's team. As the US Men's national soccer team continues to compete in the World Cup, they will be left to wonder if their hard work and dedication will be rewarded with a fair share of the prize money.
