FILE - United States women's national soccer team member Alex Morgan, left, listens as teammate Megan Rapinoe speak to reporters during a news conference in New York, Friday, May 24, 2019. U.S. women soccer players reached a landmark agreement with the sport's American governing body to end a six-year legal battle over equal pay, a deal in which they are promised $24 million plus bonuses that match those of the men. The U.S. Soccer Federation and the women announced a deal Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, that will have players split $22 million, about one-third of what they had sought in damages. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
The Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals canceled a March 7 hearing in Pasadena on the attempt by American female players to reinstate their equal pay case against the U.S. Soccer Federation following a settlement agreement contingent on a new labor contract.
In announcing the cancellation Thursday, the court revealed for the first time the three judges assigned to the panel hearing the case: Circuit Judges Kim McLane Wardlaw, an appoinee of President Bill Cinton; Andrew D. Hurwitz, an appointee of President Barack Obama; and Chief U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal, who is based in Houston and is sitting by designation.
The panel stayed proceedings pending finalization of the settlement. The panel said it is retaining jurisdiction, which means these judges would hear the case should the deal announced Tuesday fall through.
Absent the deal, the identity of the judges would have been revealed to the parties next Monday.
Under the agreement, the USSF will pay the players $22 million, about one-third of what they had sought in damages. The USSF also agreed to establish a fund with $2 million to benefit the players in their post-soccer careers and charitable efforts aimed at growing the sport for women.
The USSF committed to providing an equal rate of pay for the women's and men's national teams - including World Cup bonuses - subject to collective bargaining agreements with the unions that separately represent the women and men.
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FILE - United States Soccer Federation president Cindy Parlow Cone smiles during induction ceremonies at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. U.S. women soccer players reached a landmark agreement with the sport's American governing body to end a six-year legal battle over equal pay, a deal in which they are promised $24 million plus bonuses that match those of the men. The U.S. Soccer Federation and the women announced a deal Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, that will have players split $22 million, about one-third of what they had sought in damages." (Jason Janik/The Dallas Morning News via AP, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - United States' Megan Rapinoe, left, and her teammate Alex Morgan, right, react after winning the Women's World Cup final soccer match between the United States and The Netherlands at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Sunday, July 7, 2019. U.S. women soccer players reached a landmark agreement with the sport's American governing body to end a six-year legal battle over equal pay, a deal in which they are promised $24 million plus bonuses that match those of the men. The U.S. Soccer Federation and the women announced a deal Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, that will have players split $22 million, about one-third of what they had sought in damages. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - United States' Alex Morgan jumps over Netherlands' goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal as she attempts to score during a women's quarterfinal soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has asked for permission to participate in the appeal by American women soccer players trying to reinstate their pay claim against the U.S. Soccer Federation. The EEOC asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, to be allowed to address the court during oral arguments scheduled for March 7 in Pasadena, California.(AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)
The Associated Press