Judge denies U.S. Women's Soccer Team immediate appeal of equal pay ruling

A federal judge has denied a request by U.S. women's soccer players to allow an immediate appeal of his decision to dismiss their claim of unequal pay against the U.S. Soccer Federation, according to Sports Illustrated (h/t Associated Press).

District Judge R. Gary Klausner has scheduled a trial for Sept. 15 on the remaining claim of discriminatory work conditions.

“The granting of an immediate appeal will not eliminate the possibility of two trials or the possibility of successive appeals involving interlocking facts,” Klausner wrote Tuesday. “The court has declined the parties’ request to stay trial pending the resolution of any appeal. And should a jury render a verdict unfavorable to plaintiffs on their remaining claims, there is no reason to think plaintiffs will not appeal that decision.”

Klausner ruled on May 1 that the women couldn't prove discrimination over pay and stated the union for the USWNT rejected an offer to be paid under the same structure as the USMNT. The women, instead, accepted guaranteed salaries and greater benefits along with a different bonus structure.

The women's fight against the U.S. Soccer Federation now stretches over two years long. They originally sued in March of 2018 under the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, asking for more than $66 million in damages. 

USWNT star Megan Rapinoe has been a driving force behind the club's case against the federation, but has yet to comment on the latest ruling.