On Friday, The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced a historic, multimillion-dollar, multi-year UKG sponsorship, that will close the wage gap for the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup. 

The new sponsorship will make UKG the first-ever title sponsor of the NSWL Challenge Cup, and in 2023 the tournament will be the first professional women’s soccer tournament to achieve pay equity.

The new partnership will see an increase in the Cup bonus pool tenfold in 2022, and the total pool will more than double again in 2023. 

NWSL commissioner, Jessica Berman, said: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to have a partner like UKG, a brand with whom we have shared values.” 

“Our partnership is purpose-driven, and we believe that will eventually lead to broader impactful change, not only for women in professional sports but for women and underrepresented groups worldwide who have advocated tirelessly for the equity they deserve.”

The prize money will directly benefit the women on the winning team, runner-up team, and semifinalist teams. 

NSWL says this is in addition to a collective bargaining agreement reached by the NWSL and the National Women’s Soccer League Players Association, which includes a substantial investment to increase compensation packages and benefits, enhance training and playing environments, and provide the standards essential to securing the NWSL’s position as the best women’s soccer league in the world.

Furthermore, UKG will also partner with individual NWSL athletes Christen Press and Sydney Leroux to further advocate for closing the pay gap in every field.

Christian press said: “I can’t say how much it means to us that UKG is taking a stand on behalf of pay equity for our players.” 

“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.”

Sydney Leroux added: “Every player in this league has worked their whole life to play professional soccer and have the means to support themselves and their families,” 

“Pay equity goes beyond the average 18 cents less than 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.”

The NWSL Challenge Cup sponsorship is part of the multimillion-dollar UKG Close the Gap initiative, announced in December 2021, to raise awareness and action to resolve pay inequities among men, women and underrepresented groups in the workforce. 

As part of the initiative, UKG is contributing $0.18 for every employee paid each year via a UKG payroll solution, paying over 15 million employees a year and making a $3 million investment in the critical programs and initiatives that support the fight for pay equity.