Equal Pay For USMNT & USWNT Coaches Will Be a Curse For the Men’s National Team After Emma Hayes’ Appointment

The USWNT has paved the path for women’s soccer in a game filled with trendsetters. Now, while the team was not the first nation to play the sport, they surely have mastered the craft. The team has emerged as one of the top teams around the world, winning a record four World Cup titles. One of their biggest achievements came in 2022 when the team won a long-fought debate to earn equal pay compared to their male counterparts. While the win is a massive moral victory for the USWNT, the decision could lead to the downfall of the USMNT.

While the USWNT are bona fide world winners, the men are still trying to find their footing. With the team still trying to find their identity, a step such as equal pay for both men and women coaching staff is something that could hamper the team. Now, while this may seem like a negative statement, there are a lot of facts behind the words.

Why equal pay for coaching staff could hurt the USMNT team?

Soccer is a male-dominated sport. There is no hidden meaning behind the statement. It is what it is. The game has always been dominated by male superstars, who have gathered more attention, viewership, money, and limelight over the years. While the USWNT have sure earned their right to ask for equal pay, doing the same for their coaching staff is somewhat of a farfetched idea.

It is very important that we understand the concept of equal pay before delving deep into the issue. Soccer federations around the world have an annual budget, which narrates how they operate their teams. While better performances do help federations increase their budget, it is nothing titanic.

With a set amount, equal pay means that the funds will be equally divided between both the teams and their support staff. Now this is where our main issue arises. While players might be fine earning the same as their counterparts for the national team, you cannot make the same demands for the support staff.

Men’s coaching staff over the years have been some of the biggest earners in the game. USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter was the 13th highest earner during the 2022 FIFA World Cup netting home an annual paycheck of $1.6 million. While you might think that’s a lot, he’s nowhere near former German coach Hansi Flick, who was earning $7 million per annum.

Based on recent reports, Chelsea boss Emma Hayes is set to take over as the USWNT’s head coach following the end of the ongoing season. Hayes has reportedly signed a $1.6 million per year deal, which makes her the highest-earning coach in women’s soccer’s history. While the paycheck is a big deal for Hayes, no top men’s head coach would work for the same amount.

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USMNT gets the short end of the stick due to pay disparity

Coaching the USWNT might currently be the best job in women’s soccer. The contract is the highest-paying deal for coaches, and an opportunity to work with some of the best players in the world. However, things are quite different at the opposite end of the spectrum. The USMNT is starting to emerge as a growing nation, with the team ranked 11th on the world stage.

Now, while the USMNT would love to work alongside someone such as Hansi Flick or Antonio Conte, the truth is the team cannot just afford to pay their massive paycheck. Even if the team somehow finds a way to afford Flick’s $7 million paycheck, they cannot do the same for his female counterpart.

Imagine paying $7 million for a role that just registered its highest numbers with a $1.6 million paycheck. It’s just out of the equation. The existing scenario brings us to just one outcome. While the USWNT might receive the best staff for the upcoming years, the men have picked the shorter end of the stick.

There is no doubt that equal pay for women has put the United States on a pedestal. However, considering the shadow it casts on their men’s team, it’s a big price to pay!

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