One Nation, One Team: The U.S. Women’s National Team’s Equal Pay Victory and Its Broader Impact

Abstract

This teaching-based case study focuses on and addresses issues and opportunities in women’s sports. The context used for such discussions are the U.S. Women’s National Soccer team’s accomplishments (e.g., mainly the settlement for equal pay). Both the main case and the teaching materials enlighten examinations in three principal areas (i.e., leadership, diversity, and marketing). As future leaders in the sports industry, we believe that Sport Management students should be prompted to discuss issues and opportunities beyond what we have long referred to as (traditional) “sports,” to intentionally focus on and address issues and opportunities in women’s sports. Nonetheless, the benefits of the present case study reside in its ability to invite students to consider topics and current events in sports that are imperative to continue the momentum to move sports (in particular, women sports) forward. This teaching-based case study is intended for third- or fourth-year undergraduate students. Given its broad approach and focus in three different areas (i.e., leadership, diversity, and marketing), the case could be used in several sport courses, such as management or business of sports, sport marketing, sport diversity, sport sociology, or sport leadership. Knowledge is gained via individual and teamwork, class debates, and written assignments.