Sandra Bullock calls for equal pay for US women’s national soccer team at ESPY Awards

At the 2019 Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award (ESPY), a resounding voice for equal pay for women was heard and it's a welcome change at an international platform such as this. 

It started with the night’s host Tracy Morgan supporting the US women’s national soccer team’s battle for financial parity. The soccer team took the stage at the awards night following their historic World Cup win. 

Hollywood actress Sandra Bullock who presented the best team award also made a new kind of a pledge -- her allegiance to the women's ongoing fight for equal pay. Before handing the mic to co-captain Carli Lloyd of the team, Sandra said, "All those in favor of equal pay, say I.”

Carli Lloyd and fellow co-captain Megan Rapinoe kept their remarks short and sweet but Tracy made sure to reiterate this as he kept the show going. He was heard saying, “Let’s pay these ladies and let’s fight cancer.”

Before the best team award was handed out, Alex Morgan took home the trophy for best female athlete. She said, "Sorry, but this is probably the second-best trophy we won this week.”

The issue first took centre stage when in March, 28 players on the women's team filed a federal lawsuit against the US Soccer Federation alleging that they are paid less than the US men's national team, despite having a better record and generating more revenue.

After the women’s team defeated the Netherlands during Sunday's championship game chants of “equal pay!” broke out. 

The team was earlier honoured with a ticker-tape parade along New York City's famed "Canyon of Heroes." There, Mayor Bill de Blasio chanted "U.S.A., equal pay!"

The 2019 ESPYs were held at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.