Women Soccer Players Allege Wage Discrimination

03:34

March 31, 2016

Top row from left: USA defender Ali Krieger, forward Alex Morgan, defender Becky Sauerbrunn, goalkeeper Hope Solo, midfielder Lauren Holiday and defender Julie Johnston. Bottom row from left: USA midfielder Tobin Heath, midfielder Carli Lloyd, midfielder Morgan Brian, defender Meghan Klingenberg and midfielder Megan Rapinoe pose during the semi-final football match between USA and Germany during their 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal on June 30, 2015. USA won 2-0. (Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images)

Five of the top American women soccer players have filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, claiming they are paid far less than their male counterparts.

The players, all members of the U.S. women’s national soccer team, are co-captains Carli Lloyd and Becky Sauerbrunn, forward Alex Morgan, midfielder Megan Rapinoe and goalkeeper Hope Solo.

In 2014 World Cup play, the U.S. men's team earned $9 million when they lost in the round of 16; the women's team earned $2 million for winning the title. Pay during regular seasons is much lower for women, too. Here & Now's Meghna Chakrabarti speaks with Here & Now sports analyst Mike Pesca.

Guest

Mike Pesca, Here & Now‘s sports analyst. He hosts the daily podcast The Gist. He tweets @pescami.

This segment aired on March 31, 2016.