Do women soccer stars earn pay they deserve?

TWITTER @USATOPINION

Five members of the U.S. women’s soccer team filed a complaint last week over wage discrimination.

They’re better than the men’s team, and they should get equal pay.

@garylk01

If they draw the same audience as the men, then equal pay should happen; it’s all about the money they bring in.

@62jerseygirl

I doubt many people watch women’s soccer, so not as much pay. I agree with that.

@NothappyMatt

Of course they deserve equal pay! They win! They draw huge crowds! They work just as hard! #equalplayequalpay

@WL_yearbook

I watch only women’s soccer, so by my market standards, they should get paid more.

@Megmo808

The same formula used to calculate men’s salaries should apply to women if it’s based on wins and revenue generation.

@Lisibell_87

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This has to do with the revenue generated. If people all across the world were willing to pay more for watching women’s soccer, women would be better paid. But that is not the case. Even in the U.S., women’s soccer leagues struggle to stay afloat.

The Women’s World Cup doesn’t generate as much money as the men’s cup. This is not some social policy. Organized soccer is still a business.

Laura Lopez

The U.S. Soccer Federation was projecting a loss for fiscal year 2016. In part as a result of the women’s team’s success, in February the federation projected a $17.7 million operating surplus. It projects in fiscal year 2017 that the women’s team event budget will have a $5 million surplus, while it projects the men’s team will have a deficit. Two teams, same boss.

Clearly, the women’s national team players should make more than the men.

Michelle LoweSolis