The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals cancelled a March 7, Pasadena hearing on American female soccer players’ attempt to reinstate their equal-pay case against the U.S. Soccer Federation. This was in response to a settlement conditional on a new labor agreement.
The court announced Thursday’s cancellation and revealed the names of the three judges who were assigned to the panel. They are Circuit Judges Kim McLane Wardlaw (an appointee by President Bill Cinton); Andrew D. Hurwitz (an appointee by President Barack Obama); and Chief U.S. district Judge Lee H. Rosenthal. Lee H. Rosenthal is based in Houston, and is sitting by designation.
In the meantime, the panel decided to suspend proceedings. These judges will hear the case if the settlement announced Tuesday falls through, according to the panel.
The identities of the judges would not have been disclosed to the parties if the deal was not reached.
The agreement will see the USSF pay $22 million to the players, which is about one-third the amount they sought in damages. The USSF agreed to create a $2 million fund to help the players with their post-soccer career and to support charitable endeavors aimed at growing the sport.
The USSF has committed to providing equal pay for women’s and mens’ national teams, including World Cup bonus payments. However, collective bargaining agreements must be made with unions that represent both men and women.
