There is no doubt that female soccer players are talented. More records are being broken now more than ever. Lynn Williams scored a goal 49 seconds into a game one day, only to have Kealia Ohai score in 48 seconds—four days later. This increase in competition as well as the post-Olympic buzz has driven more viewers to women’s soccer. However, amongst all this excitement and change, one thing has remained constant: women players are paid less than men.
This pay gap is nothing new for women in soccer, though it has only become more evident as the sport grows in its popularity. Players are well-aware of this and have spoken out many times, though nothing seems to be changing. Many women players have to take on additional jobs just to make ends meet. Many of them even work throughout the season.
If female athletes continue to be affected by the glass ceiling, sports commentators and reporters predict that many players will transfer to the European leagues for better pay and better treatment. Top players have filed a lawsuit alleging wage discrimination and many more have spoken on the news about how they are forced to play in poorly-maintained and unsafe fields. If something is not done, and soon, many of America’s own top stars will leave.
It is sad to see that pay discrimination is something that affects America’s athletes, too. The glass ceiling is a reality for many qualified women, and the Philadelphia employment lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. have represented professional females in gender discrimination suits. Filing a lawsuit can help to bridge the wage gap many women experience. For more information, contact us online or call our Philadelphia offices at 215-569-1999.
