Australian Soccer Federation on Verge of Equal Pay Deal

The men's and women's teams in Australia are nearing a historic agreement.

The Australian Football Federation (FFA) is reportedly on the verge of announcing an equal pay deal that will see its women’s national team earn the same as its men’s team.

The imminent deal is said to be the result of many months of negotiations and promises to be another landmark moment in the global growth of women’s football.

Australian broadcaster ABC explains that the deal will see the Matildas earn an equal share of commercial revenue with their male counterparts, the Socceroos. It means the FFA will guarantee the women will be paid the same share of revenue as the men.

Captain Sam Kerr has described the deal as "exciting" and a "welcome investment" but cautioned that it is not yet complete.

Australia is among the world’s top women’s international sides and has consistently reached the knockout stage of tournaments at a global level. The Matildas are currently ranked eighth in the world by FIFA, but were in the top four as recently as 2017.

Australia’s women’s & men’s national soccer teams will earn the same pay as part of a history-making new pay structure. And all commercial revenues associated w/both teams will be split evenly. #EqualPay is possible! Looking forward to following the story. https://t.co/YtjL3L0vW5

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) November 5, 2019

The domestic W-League features many talented international players, including most of the Matildas squad and some foreign imports. A minimum salary has been in effect since 2017.

With the game growing immensely, money has been high on the agenda for women’s football. The United States women’s national team has a trial vs. U.S. Soccer set for May of next year, with public support for its case fighting gender discrimination and unequal pay growing after securing World Cup glory.

At the end of 2017, Norway’s male and female national teams signed a historic equitable pay agreement, ensuring that both would be paid the same amount for representing their country.

For other female players, the fight over salary hasn’t necessarily been about equal pay, but securing something remotely fair. Argentina’s national team went on strike in 2016 after growing tired of late payments of pitiful stipends and lack of access to things like basic facilities and a travel/accommodation budget.

Last month in Spain, representatives of every top-flight club voted almost unanimously to strike in the ongoing fight for basic minimum wages and employee rights.