Hope filed her own equal pay lawsuit against U.S. Football in August 2018, six months before her former teammates would file their own. The former goalie has largely carved out her own path in pursuing action against US Football, and while she told us she will automatically be part of the class-action suit, she is still determined to do things on her own terms — which could mean opting out of the class action.
"If there's a settlement, it doesn't change the law. It's admitting there are inadequacies in US Football, and it's a good step for US football, but it's not a great step for women overall," Hope said. "And so, for me, who know what's going to happen? I might be stuck in court for another couple of years, or I might be part of the class action. I have no idea."
We asked if Hope could envision a scenario in which she'd agree to settle with US Football rather than battle it out in court. "That's what I've said all along — that I can't imagine [settling]. We got into this fight to change everything for future generations. It wasn't supposed to be about us. It wasn't supposed to be about us getting money, it wasn't supposed to be about us getting notoriety," she said. "It was supposed to be about changing things for the future generations. So the only way we can do it is not by putting money in our pockets, but by continuing in this really ugly battle. Reading boring documents, this really long fight in federal court . . . that's the way to do it."
At the end of the panel — which also featured Trevor Moawad, one of the best known mental-conditioning experts in sports — one audience member asked Hope how she's stayed positive despite the challenges she's faced in both her personal and professional life. "I think I have every right to be bitter," Hope said with a smile, "and I am not bitter. I accomplished everything I wanted to. And I've fought for my happiness."