Dismissal of U.S. WNT's unequal pay claims provides helpful reminders

In March 2019, members of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (WNT) filed a collective and class action lawsuit in federal court against the United States Soccer Federation, Inc. (USSF), asserting claims under Title VII and the Equal Pay Act (EPA). On May 1, 2020, a U.S. district court judge in the Central District of California ruled in favor of the USSF on nearly all of its requests for summary judgment (dismissal without a trial), removing the bulk of the WNT's claims and leaving few issues for the upcoming trial.

Background

The WNT's lawsuit centered on the following claims:

• The USSF discriminated against the WNT in violation of the EPA and Title VII by paying them less than similarly situated players on the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (MNT).
• The USSF discriminated against the WNT in violation of Title VII by providing unequal working conditions between the WNT and MNT.

The WNT's main contention—that the USSF paid WNT players less than MNT players—was summarily rejected by the court.

Judge bases ruling on total compensation calculation