Gulati: U.S. Women would split $1.5 million bonus for gold medal win over Japan
Should they defeat defending world champions Japan in the Olympic women’s soccer final in London on Thursday, the U.S. Women’s National Team could earn more – much more – than just pride, joy and a gold medal.
On Wednesday United States Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati told reporters that the USWNT, as a group, would receive a $1.5 million bonus from the federation for winning Olympic gold. That figure represents a lump sum which would be distributed among the team, coaching and training staff, the specifics of which were not disclosed.
That is in addition to the $25,000 bonus the players would receive from the U.S. Olympic Committee for winning the gold. The USOC awards a $15,000 bonus to silver medal winners.
Depending on whether U.S. Soccer’s bonus is split only among the USWNT’s core 18-women roster or among the extended roster and support staff, the $1.5 million reward would break down to somewhere between $40,000 and $84,000 per person. There would apparently be a smaller bonus granted should the U.S. lose to Japan, who defeated the USWNT in last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup final.
Gulati also said that the federation hopes to initiate a top-tier women’s U.S. professional league featuring the USWNT and other elite players next year.
