(The lead lawyer for the players in that case, Jeffrey Kessler, now represents women’s national team players in their labor dispute with US Soccer.) That agreement reveals a deal that gives national team players scant short-term financial incentive to root for the league’s survival. The deal calls for at least 18 players to be paid $72,000 for national team duties and $46,000 to $56,000 for league play. Having the league around also revs up competition for national team roster spots, even with limits on the number of days a non-salaried player can be in national team camp. Even if a player misses an undefined “disproportionate number of days,” she would receive at least 75% of her national team salary.

Source: The Guardian July 25, 2016 09:56 UTC