Child Care Is Expensive Even for Professional Athletes

Los Angeles' women' professional soccer team Angel City FC was just sanctioned by the NWSL and given the highest team fine in NWSL history. The League said that the team had 5 side arrangements with 5 players that exceeded the $2.75 milion salary cap, which is the maximum salary a player can receive each year. Angel City FC did not respond publicly to all 5 of the incidents, but did choose to talk about one of the payments. In short, Angel City FC said that the League's Salary Cap Rules say childcare payments do not get included in the salary cap. American women soccer players have been outspoken in seeking equal pay as their male counterparts. They have also raised the issue that, despite their high salaries, they do not earn enough to cover their childcare costs - an issue male soccer players do not have to contend with. Currently, players get $5,000/season for childcare - a total set by the IRS and a total that is for all children, not per child. Childcare is one of the most expensive budget line items for families. However, childcare is an issue that predominately affects women and is a factor in their ability to advance in the workplace and in society. Read the story here:

https://19thnews.org/2024/10/child-care-largest-fine-womens-soccer-angel-city/