US Women's National Soccer Team Will Receive Equal Pay

This week the US Women’s National Soccer Team had a huge win. After six years of a legal battle with the US Soccer Federation, they have settled their lawsuit over unequal pay for $24 Million in back pay. What may be more important though is the guarantee that they will now be paid the same rate as the Men’s team for all friendlies (exhibition games) and tournaments including the World Cup. Megan Rapinoe told the Today Show, "For us this is just a huge win in ensuring that we not only right the wrongs of the past but set the next generation up for something that we could only have dreamed of.” While the fight for equal pay is far from over for women in general, this is a major step forward in professional athletics. Check out this list of other athletes from hockey players to paralympic marathoners who have helped close the gap in gender pay inequality. Included in the long list of supporters (though not mentioned in the article above) is Phoenix Suns’ Basketball player, Chris Paul, who was just named the inaugural recipient of the Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award for his significant contributions to the advancement of girls’ and women’s basketball, and advocacy for the WNBA, another female professional league seeking equality.