The 1999 USWNT not only won the World Cup, but paved the way for equal pay in U.S. soccer.
Julie Foudy sat in awe. And frustration. And disbelief. And hope.
Hanging onto every word as Billie Jean King recounted her journey to tennis stardom while being the flag bearer for women’s rights, Foudy couldn’t help but find similarities between what she and the U.S. women’s national soccer team were currently facing.
Rather than brushing her off or offering a simple “good luck” then going about her own business after a meeting of women’s sports figures at Spalding offices in the mid-1990s, King encouraged Foudy and her teammates to make a stand.
That’s exactly what they did—not only by winning the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup, but, more importantly, carrying the torch in the fight for equality that lit the way for the USWNT’s equal pay lawsuit against U.S. Soccer settled in 2022 that caused ripple effects throughout women’s sports around the globe.
“They started the huge boom for women’s soccer without any question,” King said at the 2024 Women’s Sports Foundation Annual Salute to Women in Sports in New York City. “You don’t get equality overnight—it’s a long haul—so when (Megan) Rapinoe got up and said, ‘We’re equal,’ it started with the 99ers.”
Sara Whalen, Christie Pearce, Julie Foudy, Lorrie Fair Alle, Joy Fawcett and Briana Scurry at the … [+]
Twenty-five years ago, the USWNT, affectionately known as The 99ers, defeated China in a historic penalty shootout in front of a then-record 90,185 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. While many fans remember Brandi Chastain’s iconic celebration in her sports bra after scoring the winning penalty, the result meant so much more than hoisting a trophy.
Beneficiaries of Title IX, a federal law enacted in 1972 that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs and activities, The 99ers’ quest for equality started well before the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Nine players, including Foudy, rejected contract offers from U.S. Soccer in December 1995 as they advocated for better pay, health benefits and performance bonuses ahead of the 1996 Olympics. Settling on new contracts that included guaranteed bonuses for reaching the podium (not just winning gold) as well as other benefits including paid pregnancy leave, severance pay and paid childcare for players with children, the USWNT won gold in Atlanta that summer.
But a gold medal doesn’t equate to immediate support and resources. Petitioning to play the 1999 Women’s World Cup in larger, NFL-sized venues like the men did five years prior, The 99ers bet on themselves again and won again.
“The 99ers were the true pioneers of women’s global football,” said former Colombian international Melissa Ortiz, who today works alongside Foudy as a broadcaster. “I was 9 years old when they won the Women’s World Cup. For me, like millions of girls and women, we were so inspired by what they did on the field, but most importantly, what they did off the field.
“Many, many years later when I was playing for my national team, I realized all the things that we lacked and all the things the USWNT had gained because of what The 99ers did. When I decided to take a stance and fight for our rights, more support and all the things we needed as female footballers to be footballers, it was honestly inspired by women like them on The 99ers team.”
The ripple effect of what The 99ers did on and off the field continues to pay dividends today.
Domestically, the NWSL recorded record-breaking distribution and revenue in 2023 as the league will expand to 15 clubs with the addition of BOS Nation FC in 2026. Between 2022-23, attendance grew 32%, while the NWSL is on pace to reach 2 million in regular-season attendance this campaign.
Not only are fans filling stadiums, team valuations and investment are at an all-time high.
Disney CEO Bob Iger and wife Willow Bay agreed in July to become new controlling owners of Angel City FC at a $250 million valuation, making it the highest valued women’s sports team. Backed by a who’s who of celebrities, athletes and investors, Angel City’s ownership includes King, Foudy and other former 99ers including Mia Hamm and Saskia Webber.
“I’m so proud of Angel City and what they’ve set,” Webber said. “Angel City has changed the perspective and the way you handle women’s sports.”
Billie Jean King is part of the ownership of Angel City FC.
Kicked off by King, reinforced by Title IX, put on the map by The 99ers and solidified by the landmark Equal Pay for Team USA Act by Congress, equality in sports is certainly improving, but the fight still rages on.
Current USWNT coach Emma Hayes, who guided the team to gold at the 2024 Olympics, recently called out the lack of opportunities for women’s coaches, especially on the men’s side. Hayes said if owners of men’s clubs were ready for a female coach “it would have happened by now.”
Members of The 99ers continue to proudly fight for equality in their post-playing careers, whether it’s calling attention to discrepancies as a broadcaster or analyst, creating opportunities for the next generation via club ownership or even by meeting current players to share stories and support.
“What we thought in ’99 was that that was going to be the catalyst and inspiration that took us there and it didn’t,” Foudy said. “It’s taken much longer than we thought, but to see it finally here, 25 years later, is really rewarding. As we learned the hard way, it takes a while to change society, culture and the way people view sports and women playing sports. It’s fantastic we’re in a place where we can celebrate so much happening with women’s sports.
“But why does it take decades of fighting and rattling the cage for things to change? I’m so thrilled we’re there but I’d also argue there’s still so much to do. We’re just really scratching the surface of what we can do in women’s sports, but we’re seeing now this willingness and appetite to bet on women, which I love.”
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