
The U.S. Soccer Federation’s audited financial records for April 1, 2012 through March 13, 2013 have been released, and there are some very interesting nuggets of information regarding the U.S. women’s national team and the National Women’s Soccer League, which was officially announced on Nov. 21, 2012.
Here are the major talking points in regards to the women’s game:
— U.S. women’s coach Tom Sermanni’s contract lasts through Dec. 31, 2016, with an annual base salary of between $195,000 and $210,000 during the agreement, which became effective Jan. 1, 2013. Potential bonuses from Sermanni range from $25,000 to $80,000, based on performance at the 2015 World Cup and 2016 Olympics. U.S. Soccer must pay him for six months at the base rate if his contract is terminated without cause during the term of the agreement. U.S. men’s national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann makes a base of $2.5 million, with potential bonuses ranging from $500,000 to $10.5 million.
[MORE: Tom Sermanni’s challenge heading into 2015 is balance, not change]
— From the last page, on the U.S. women’s national team collective bargaining agreement: “The Women’s National Team CBA expired on December 31, 2012. There is currently a signed Memo of Understanding in place while the full details of the new CBA are being negotiated.” UPDATE: The March 20 announcement the the USSF and US Women’s National Team Players’ Association had reached a deal was only an indication of the Memo of Understanding. A U.S. Soccer spokesman said on Friday that simply, they are “working to finish the CBA.”
— Women’s national team expenses for the fiscal year were $9,478,322, a rise from $6,086,854 the year prior. National Women’s Soccer League expenses totaled $247,830. Comparatively, the men’s national team expenses were $12,836,045, while the youth national team expenses, combined, were $12,745,045.
— Word-for-word from page 20 on U.S. Soccer’s role with the National Women’s Soccer League: “National Women’s Soccer League, LLC (‘NWSL’) was formed on December 12, 2012 and functions as a professional women’s soccer league. The Federations was appointed as Manager of NWSL, which provides that the Federation will perform all management, governance, operational, administrative and advisory services for NWSL. The management agreement is effective for an initial term through December 31, 2013, with an option to extend the agreement through December 31, 2015. In addition, the Federation’s headquarters in Chicago are functioning as the principal office of the NWSL. The Federation does not receive any management fees or rent from NWSL as part of the arrangement. The Federation is not a Member to the LLC agreement, but rather the NWSL is equally owned by its eight member teams. The Federation and NWSL do not share any board members.”
— For the full financial report, click here and then click “2013 Audited Financial Statements”.
