Equal Pay for Team USA Act of 2022

Equal Pay for Team USA Act of 2022

This bill requires that all athletes representing the United States in international amateur athletic competitions receive equal compensation and benefits for their work, regardless of gender.

Specifically, the bill requires, for a sport for which the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committees (the corporation) conduct separate programs for female and male athletes who represent the United States in international amateur athletic events, from funds directly provided by the corporation to the athlete (with exceptions), that there be equivalent and nondiscriminatory compensation, wages, benefits, medical care, travel arrangements, and payment or reimbursement for expenses.

It shall be permissible to (1) consider merit, performance, seniority, or quantity of play in determining contract or other terms of participation; and (2) provide more beneficial terms of participation to athletes to address disparities in outside income, or the need to foster underdeveloped programs or address documented and justifiable personal need on the part of specific athletes or teams.

The corporation must take all reasonable steps to advocate to international sports federations and other event organizers to equalize prizes, compensation, funding, and other support provided to athletes by such federations and organizers.

The corporation must report to Congress at least annually on compliance. Each report must include detailed information on the median, minimum, and maximum stipends and bonuses provided to athletes, disaggregated by gender, race, and status of participation on a professional sports team.

The bill requires full compliance within one year of this bill's enactment.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov