Before Winning Equal Pay Battle, USWNT Star Alex Morgan Revealed Her Teammates Earned Same Salary as Bottom 10% Workers in the Country: “Barely a Livable Wage”

The fight against the gender pay gap in sports goes a long way back. During the 70s and the 80s, American tennis legend, Billie Jean King was at the forefront of this fight. Later, the baton passed on to the likes of Venus and Serena Williams. Earlier this year, the USWNT team, led by Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan won their battle against the gender pay gap.

It was a significant moment in the history of women’s sports in general and soccer in particular. The settlement between U.S. soccer and USWNT ended a six-year battle in which the USWNT saw victories on the field but defeats in federal court. During their battle, star forward, Alex Morgan once highlighted the injustice the team faced.

Alex Morgan once explained how the gender pay gap affected her team

The USWNT faced a bumpy ride in their battle for equal pay. Additionally, they also faced defeat in the federal court during their fight.

Talking about how her teammates earned a paltry sum for their efforts, Morgan said, “The judge’s ruling in U.S. Soccer’s favor [denying equal pay for the U.S. Women’s Team] goes against what we stand for, not only in soccer but in life. A lot of my [Orlando Pride] teammates make $20,000 dollars a year—barely a livable wage.”

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However, they kept fighting and never gave up. “We’re continuing to fight, and we’re seeing a trickle­down effect: Athletes and women are standing up for themselves in positions where they’ve felt undervalued. What we’ve fought for is inspiring other women,” Morgan added.

Morgan bags a massive honor

Recently, Alex Morgan was named the most endorsed female athlete of 2022, ahead of the likes of Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka. According to SportsPro, she has an audience reach of more than 50%.

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On the soccer front, Morgan scored a sensational 110th-minute goal to send San Diego Wave into the NWSL semifinals. They will next take on Portland Thorns FC in the last-four clash.