According to a report from Norwegian broadcasting company NRK, Norway’s men’s national team has agreed to a pay cut with the money then going to the women’s side, resulting in equal pay from the Norwegian soccer federation beginning in 2018.
The men’s team is currently ranked 73rd in the world but has already been bounced from 2018 FIFA World Cup contention, and they’ve not appeared in a major international tournament since Euro 2000. The women’s team is currently ranked 14th and advanced to the Round of 16 at the 2015 World Cup in Canada.
In January of 2016, Lyon striker and Norwegian international Ada Hegerberg was awarded the 2015 Norwegian Gold Ball, becoming the first woman to win the award given to the best footballer in Norway in 20 years.
“The ladies are as important as us,” said Norway men’s captain and midfielder Stefan Johansen. “It is a deal where we have taken part of our cut and given it to the women’s side.”
According to numbers cited by The Guardian, the remuneration pot for the women has nearly doubled from $386,864 to $750,203 with a large portion coming from the contribution made by the male players, money previously generated for the men's team by way of commercial activities.
“Norway is a country where equal standing is very important for us, so I think it is good for the country and for the sport,” said Norway players’ union boss Joachim Walltin. “For the girls, it will certainly make a difference. Some of them are actually working and studying, as well as playing football, and it’s hard to improve then.”
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