Adidas Announces Equal World Cup-Winning Bonuses For Men And Women

Yesterday, on International Women’s Day, adidas announced that any sponsored players on the Women’s World Cup-winning team would receive the same bonus pay given to their male counterparts. 

Equal pay for equal play.#WWC #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/F9UD7zvp6s

— adidas (@adidas) March 8, 2019

The announcement coincided with news that the USWNT had filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against U.S. Soccer. All 28 members of the USWNT are accusing the federation of “institutionalized gender discrimination” in a suit that seeks back pay, damages and other relief, which could total millions of dollars.

With regards to the bonus that adidas has assured its sponsored players, there’s no information on what the likes of Paul Pogba, Thomas Lemar, N’Golo Kante and Benjamin Pavard received from the sportswear giant for winning the 2018 World Cup.  

Adidas also has less female athletes in its roster compared to the men’s side. For example, the USWNT leans heavily towards Nike, including Alex Morgan, Mallory Pugh, Megan Rapinoe and Tobin Heath. 

Recent USWNT call-ups that are known adidas athletes include midfielders Lindsey Horan and Morgan Brian.

In football, every match starts equal.

The official match ball for the 2019 @FIFAWWC, Conext 19.
100 days to go.#FIFAWWC #WorldCup #Conext19 pic.twitter.com/9G6Sm6SS43

— adidas (@adidas) February 27, 2019