The NWSL & UKG announce multimillion-dollar, multi-year partnership. UKG becomes the first ever title sponsor of the NWSL Challenge Cup. The partnership will increase the bonus pool by 10x in 2022 and more than double that in 2023. The prize pool in the 2023 UKG Challenge Cup will help achieve equal pay equity. It will be the first-ever women's pro soccer tournament to achieve that. The prize money will directly benefit the women on the winning team, the runner-ups, and the semifinalist teams.
Brian K. Reaves, chief belonging, diversity, and equity officer at UKG had this to say about the partnership “We refuse to accept that one organization cannot make a difference in the fight for pay equity — just look at what these remarkable women have done with their collective voice to raise awareness on a national stage about a problem that has plagued our workforce for decades.”
UKG will also be partnering with Sydney Leroux and Christen Press to further advocate for closing the pay gap in every field. In a statement Christen Press said, "We have fought long and hard for pay equal to that of our male counterparts, and we need more people to take a stand on closing the pay gap and fighting for fair and consistent pay for everyone, regardless of gender, race, background, or profession.”
“Pay equity goes beyond the average 18 cents less that women are paid for every dollar that a man is paid — it is about people wanting to live the same quality of life, have the same opportunities, and live the same dreams as others doing the same work,” said Sydney Leroux.
The 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup final will take place on May 7 @ 1:00 PM ET on CBS.