FA Finalizes Bonus Agreement for Lionesses
The English Football Association (FA) has finalized an unprecedented bonus agreement for the Lionesses, potentially amounting to £1.7 million, contingent on their successful title defense at the upcoming European Championship this summer. This significant financial package was made public following earlier revelations in March regarding stalled negotiations over player bonuses, which raised concerns of a repeat of previous issues that marred the squad’s 2023 World Cup preparations.
Positive Negotiations and Increased Incentives
However, recent discussions ended positively, with reports indicating satisfaction among players and coaching staff, including head coach Sarina Weigman. Compared to the incentives awarded for reaching the World Cup finals in Australia two years ago, this bonus pool marks a sharp increase, over twice that sum. Each player’s share will vary based on their participation on the pitch, but victory in the tournament could net each player an average bonus of approximately £73,000—a rise of over £18,000 from the bonuses they received after their historic Euro 2022 victory at Wembley Stadium.
Resolving Bonus Issues Ahead of the Championship
According to insiders familiar with the negotiations, resolving the bonus issue prior to the squad’s gathering at St George’s Park for their European Championship training camp was crucial. This year’s preparations were further complicated by the unexpected announcement of veteran goalkeeper Mary Earps’ retirement from international play, which the FA is relieved has removed yet another potential distraction.
Historical Context of Bonus Disputes
This wasn’t the first time bonus disputes affected the Lionesses. In the lead-up to the last World Cup, negotiations were tense, as the FA hesitated to agree to performance-based payments after FIFA introduced individual player fees. Ultimately, an agreement was reached, but not until a month after the tournament’s conclusion, in which England placed second after a narrow defeat by Spain.
Financial Benefits of Performance
The governing body stands to benefit overall if the Lionesses perform well, with UEFA increasing the total prize money for the tournament to an impressive £34 million, of which the champions will take home £4.3 million. The FA previously equalized match fees for men’s and women’s teams five years ago, providing all senior England players about £2,000 per match—most of which goes to charity. However, discrepancies in bonus payments remain significant, reflective of the much larger prize pools available in men’s tournaments, exemplified by Gareth Southgate’s team, which could have shared a £14 million bonus had they triumphed in last summer’s Euros.
Upcoming Matches and Preparations
As the Lionesses gear up for Euro 2025, they will kick off their preparations with a UEFA Nations League encounter against Portugal this Friday at Wembley, followed by a challenging match against Spain in Barcelona next week. They will conclude this phase with a friendly against Jamaica in Leicester, before officially commencing their title defense against France on July 5, with additional group matches lined up against the Netherlands and Wales.
