Judge dismisses equal pay portion of U.S. Women’s National Team lawsuit

STERLING, VA – Late on Friday, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in Pasadena Judge R. Gary Klausner, agreed with the U.S. Soccer Federation’s motion for a summary judgement and dismissed the U.S. Women’s National Team’s argument that they were underpaid as compared to their male counterparts.

It was not a complete case dismissal in that Judge Klausner set a trial date of June 16, believing the team had made valid arguments for inequality in standards of support for the team as compared to the men, in the areas of travel, hotel accommodations and staffing.

In a brief statement to the media, U.S. Soccer said:

“We look forward to working with the women’s national team to chart a positive path forward to grow the game both here at home and around the world. U.S. Soccer has long been the world leader for the women’s game on and off the field, and we are committed to continuing that work to ensure our women’s national team remains the best in the world and sets the standard for women’s soccer.”

[READ: How the USWNT overplayed their hand in the pay-equity court case]

The basis for dismissal by Klausner accepted U.S. Soccer’s argument that the women earned more than the men in the years cited in the lawsuit “on both a cumulative and an average per-game basis.”

While the June 16 trial was scheduled, this ruling will certainly be appealed according to a statement issued by Molly Levinson, the players’ strategist and spokeswoman.

“We are shocked and disappointed with today’s decision, but we will not give up our hard work for equal pay,” the Levinson statement read. “We are confident in our case and steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that girls and women who play this sport will not be valued as lesser just because of their gender. We have learned that there are tremendous obstacles to change; we know that it takes bravery and courage and perseverance to stand up to them. We will appeal and press on. Words cannot express our gratitude to all who support us.”