Темы: USWNT, USSF, U.S. Soccer Federation, Carlos Cordeiro, Coca-Cola Co., Visa, Volkswagen, Budweiser, Deloitte, Nike, USMNT, Cindy Parlow Cone, Grant Wahl
Several U.S. Soccer sponsors have publicly denounced the federation after arguments in its court filing regarding the lawsuit over equal pay by the Women’s World Cup champions went public deeming them “unacceptable and offensive.”

Coca-Cola Co. expressed that they "are extremely disappointed with the unacceptable comments made by U.S. Soccer" and asked for a meeting with its governing body to discuss the subject.

"The U.S. Soccer Federation's position, as it has been reported, is one which we do not share," is how Visa began its statement. "It is core to our philosophy at Visa that we accept everyone, everywhere. In fact, we believe the federation should do more to ensure a level of playing field for the women." And like Coca-Cola Co., the financial services corporation also asked for a meeting.

U.S. Soccer presenting partner Volkswagen was left "disgusted" by the federation's position and deemed it "simply unacceptable." The automobile company "stand[s] by the USWNT and the ideals they represent for the world" and demand that the federation raises to those values.

Official sponsors Budweiser and Deloitte have also sided with the American players.

The federation's lawyers argued that Women's National Team and Men's National Team players do not perform equal work requiring equal skill, effort, and responsibility under similar working conditions.

Carlos Cordeiro, who was the president of the USSF at the time, was quick to apologize after reports of disgruntled sponsors began to surface. 

"On behalf of U.S. Soccer, I sincerely apologize for the offense and pain caused by language in this week's court filing, which did not reflect the values of our Federation or our tremendous admiration of our Women's National Team," Cordeiro said. "Our WNT players are incredibly talented and work tirelessly, as they have demonstrated time and again from their Olympic Gold medals to their World Cup titles. Even as we continue to defend the Federation in court, we are making immediate changes."

And as promised, immediate changes did take effect after news broke that Cordeiro stepped down as president five days after the apology was issued.

As stated in his resignation, vice-president Cindy Parlow Cone will take the role of president.

Other U.S. Soccer sponsors in Johnson & Johnson, Powerade, AT&T, Allstate and even Nike, U.S. Soccer's biggest one, have not made public comments against the association. But Grant Wahl believes the sportswear company had a say in Cordeiro's sacking.