World Cup Prize Money
For the first time, FIFA will pay out prize money at the Women's World Cup. Now isn't that nice of Sepp?
The champion receives $1 million.
The runner-up gets $800,000.
Third place: $650,000.
Fourth place: $550,000.
4 quarterfinal losers: $350,000 each.
4 first-round losers: $250,000 each.
Not exactly on par with the men's World Cup, but it's a start. Last summer, Italy took home $21.5 million while a team that did not make it out of the first round (um, USA) received $5.9 million.
Bottom line: The men's World Cup is a massive international money-maker for FIFA, the women's tournament is not.
Where do the women's winnings go? Every team has its own policies, but for the U.S. squad, through a collective bargaining agreement between the players' union and the U.S. Soccer Federation, it has already been decided. For winning the championship, each of the 21 players will receive $50,000 (which adds up to more than $1 million the USSF would receive from FIFA). They'll get $20,000 apiece for second place and $10,000 for third. The players are also guaranteed additional bonuses for participating in a Victory Tour this fall. There will be 10 games and $1.2 million to divide if they win the World Cup, three games and $3,600 per player for second place and three games and $3,333 for third. (Three matches against Mexico in October have already been announced: in St. Louis, Portland, Ore., and Albuquerque.)
Of note: Defender Stephanie Lopez has retained amateur eligibility in order to play again for the University of Portland this fall and is not permitted to accept any money from the USSF.
Unclear what the North Koreans are doing with their $350,000. Probably going into this guy's pockets.
That's it for now. The U.S. team boarded a bus this afternoon for the 3-hour drive south to Hangzhou, site of Thursday's semifinal against Brazil. I hope you find this story about the increasing physical nature of women's soccer interesting.
By Steve Goff |
September 25, 2007; 4:34 AM ET
Women
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Posted by: seahawkdad | September 25, 2007 6:20 AM
Regarding Stephanie Lopez, do you know why she would forgo a good chance at $50,000 in favor of playing collegiate soccer? Is her school so good an NCAA championship is certain? Just wondering why a college student would turn down that much money.
Posted by: Bart | September 25, 2007 7:43 AM
Can't the $50K be put into a trust for the future?
Posted by: JSF | September 25, 2007 7:47 AM
One year at the University of Portland is worth about $40k, so that's almost a wash if she's on a full ride. Plus she gets the very real potential to play for the NCAA championship. No a championship is not certain, but they're pretty loaded, and the $50k bonus for WWC gold is certainly no sure thing either.
Not to mention the college degree.
All of which assumes she is only thinking about herself, and not thinking about the Portland team.
Posted by: WNT fan | September 25, 2007 8:26 AM
In regards to all the money she's missing out on -- I'd be willing to bet the USSF sets up a trust fund or something and holds all of the money shes generating (commercials, appearances, etc) and gives it to her as a "signing" bonus when she gets out of college.
Posted by: strago | September 25, 2007 8:33 AM
"Defender Stephanie Lopez has retained amateur eligibility in order to play again for the University of Portland this fall and is not permitted to accept any money from the USSF"
This is a joke, and so is the NCAA. Lopez will have earned that money, and the NCAA has no right to say otherwise. Bloody money-sucking leaches if you ask me.
Posted by: Joe Doc | September 25, 2007 8:50 AM
I'm surprised that there's only a 20% difference between 1st and second in terms of earnings. I'd expect to see a more dramatic dropoff from 1st to second. Anybody know what the second place finisher in the men's tournament earns?
Posted by: Matte | September 25, 2007 8:51 AM
Steve, thanks for the ludicrous link to Sepp. Very nice.
Posted by: Matte | September 25, 2007 8:52 AM
Here's what Lopez had to say about whether she considered skipping her senior season at Portland this fall, turning pro for the World Cup and accepting the potential bonus cash:
"Playing with professional players makes you think about the next level, the next step, not necessary as a soccer player, but where they are in life, earning money playing the sport that they love. The money can be very attractive, but I know in the long run, I will look back and be so proud that I finished off those last three months at my school."
Posted by: Goff | September 25, 2007 9:11 AM
The NCAA won't allow trusts, either. Ask Jeremy Bloom or any other Olympic athlete...
Posted by: RK | September 25, 2007 9:47 AM
Lori Fair also retained her amateur eligibility after WWC99 to go back to Chapel Hill.
It's not at all like the men's game where one can get boatloads of cash by turning pro. Sure, Lopez may get $50,000 (pre-tax). But then what? It's only worthwhile for a few highly marketable players who can get endorsements.
Posted by: I-270, Exit 1 | September 25, 2007 9:47 AM
RE; Victory Tour.
* They'd better win. No-one will pay to see a "Played Well and Came Close, but Lost in the Semifinal Round" Tour.
* Three matches against Mexico? Why? USSF should schedule matches against England. Bad blood means a good rivalry. Abby v Faye II: Return of the Limey!
* Did you use spellcheck for Albuquerque?
Posted by: I-270, Exit 1 | September 25, 2007 10:22 AM
If yer gonna link to Kim Jong Il, you should do it to a photo of the "Team America" version. :-)
Posted by: Juan-John | September 25, 2007 11:26 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Loved Osborne's comment: "The men have always been more physical, but we can bring it."
Yes they can, and at all levels. I remember recently, in a co-ed indoor game, after my daughter had been fouled by another women, taking her revenge.
The opposing player went up to head a ball and my daughter gave her a well timed slight push from behind, resulting in the ball smashing into her face rather than the planned spot of her forehead.
Down she went. Sly smile from my daughter. She learned well from years of playing against her brothers.