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US Women's Team Players have Options After Setback in Court

Associated Press

   Players for the U.S. women's national team may have been dealt a blow
   by a judge's ruling in their gender discrimination lawsuit against the
   U.S. Soccer Federation but the case is far from over.

   The women have vowed to keep up the fight, encouraged by the likes of
   Joe Biden, Billie Jean King and even the men's national team.

   "This is just a setback," King said when asked what she would tell the
   team. "There's so many of these ups and downs. Just keep learning from
   it, keep going for it. You're still such a great influence, not only in
   soccer, but for equality for everyone."

   King, who was calling for equitable prize money in tennis in the 1970s,
   once famously proclaimed: "Everyone thinks women should be thrilled
   when we get crumbs, and I want women to have the cake, the icing and
   the cherry on top, too."

   The players sued the federation last year, claiming they have not been
   paid equally under their collective bargaining agreement to what the
   men's national team receives under its labor deal. They asked for more
   than $66 million in damages under the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of
   the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

   The federal judge threw out the players' claim of discriminatory pay
   Friday in a surprising loss for the defending World Cup champions. U.S.
   District Judge R. Gary Klausner said the women rejected a pay-to-play
   structure like the men's agreement and accepted greater base salaries
   and benefits.

   But he allowed aspects of their allegations of discriminatory working
   conditions to go forward.

   The trial remains scheduled for June 16 in federal court in Los
   Angeles.

   Players have vowed to appeal the judge's decision.

   There are several legal options. Players could seek to overturn
   Friday's decision at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court ofAppeals andcould even
   discuss with the USSF the possibility of a joint application for a stay
   pending appeal. They could proceed with a trial limited to working
   conditions such as flights, hotels and medical staff, then appeal
   Friday's ruling.

   Or the sides could seek to settle, perhaps as part of a deal to replace
   and extend the current collective bargaining agreement, which expires
   on Dec. 31, 2021.

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