Women's World Cup champion coach Jill Ellis earned less money from the U.S. Soccer Federation than did several of her male counterparts, according to the USSF's most recent tax form.
In fiscal year 2017 (April 2016 through March 2017), Ellis made $292,151. During that same span, former men's coach Jurgen Klinsmann — who was fired in November 2016 — received $3,302,534 in salary and $6.2 million in severance pay for early termination. Andi Herzog, Klinsmann's top assistant, earned $446,885, and former men's coach Bruce Arena — who only worked in March of the fiscal year after succeeding Klinsmann — received $409,849.
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Other male USSF officials who earned more than Ellis:
- Dan Flynn, chief executive: $832,655.
- Jay Berhalter, chief commercial officer: $779,922.
- Paul Marstaller, director of events: $340,041.
- Tom King, managing director: $338,216.
- Brian Remedi, chief administrative officer: $337,839.
- George Chiampas, chief medical officer: $323,355.
- Greg Fike, staff attorney: $322,400.
Ellis was one of just two female employees on the list of top earners at the USSF. Lisa Levine, legal counsel for the organization, received $251,770.
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There is context to consider with these figures:
- Klinsmann was the highest-paid coach in U.S. Soccer history during his tenure with the men's squad.
- Arena's salary for March 2017 was $100,000; he received an additional $300,000 in bonuses and incentives. The remainder of the money was listed as nontaxable benefits.
- Ellis could have earned more money in 2016, but her team's loss to Sweden in the Olympic quarterfinals cost her bonuses. Her current base salary is $300,000 and includes multiple World Cup incentives for 2019.
- USSF executives were rewarded for the financial success of the Copa America Centenario that U.S. venues hosted in summer 2016.
Regardless, the optics of Ellis' salary are not great considering how much the women's national team has accomplished compared to the men's team, and also considering women's players have been demanding equal pay for several years.