Trump On Women's Soccer Team And Equal Pay: Look At Numbers

President Donald Trump said Sunday that women and men in soccer should be paid the same, but youve got to look at numbers.

The president was asked by reporters about the gender pay gap in soccer, which has been in the spotlight as players demand equal pay from FIFA, the international governing body of soccer, and the U.S. Soccer Federation.

I would like to see that, but youve also got to look at the numbers, Trump said, according to a White House pool report. You have to look at whos taking in what.

Per pool, Trump was asked if he believes women and men in soccer should be paid the same. I would like to see that, but youve also got to look at numbers... you have to look at whos taking in what

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Per pool, Trump was asked if he believes women and men in soccer should be paid the same. I would like to see that, but youve also got to look at numbers... you have to look at whos taking in what
Manu Raju (@mkraju) July 7, 2019

The comment came soon after the U.S. womens national soccer team beat the Netherlands 2-0 on Sunday, winning the FIFA Womens World Cup for the second consecutive time and fourth overall. After the game, the stadium in Lyon, France, was filled with chants from fans calling for equal pay .

Trumps comments insinuate that the womens soccer team doesnt bring in as much revenue as the mens soccer team. But in the three years after the womens team won the World Cup in 2015, their games generated more total revenue than mens games, according to The Wall Street Journal . The 2015 Womens World Cup final also had more views than any soccer match in U.S. history, mens or womens, at that time.

Recently, Nike announced that the U.S. womens teams jersey is now the soccer jersey with the highest sales on its website in one season.

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In March, all 28 players of the U.S. womens team filed a gender-discrimination lawsuit alleging the U.S. Soccer Federation has paid them less than the mens team, and denied them equal playing, training and travel conditions while not promoting their games as much as mens games. U.S. Soccers legal response said any alleged pay difference between the teams is based on differences in aggregated revenue.

Last week, more than 50 members of Congress wrote to the U.S. Soccer Federation demanding it pay the womens team fairly , noting that female soccer players receive a base salary of about $30,000 less than their male counterparts. They also earn less bonus money for making it to the World Cup.

On Sunday, Trump congratulated the U.S. womens soccer team on its win, saying, America is proud of you all! He said he was still unsure whether he will invite the team to the White House, though several players, including co-captain Megan Rapinoe, have been outspoken about not wanting to attend if invited.