Five things to know in U.S. women's hockey team showdown with USA Hockey

An emergency meeting is scheduled for noon ET today as USA Hockey’s 90-member board of directors is expected to vote on an agreement that would end the women’s national hockey team boycott of the IIHF Women’s World Championship.

A simple majority is needed to approve a deal. USA TODAY Sports reported Sunday that board members will be presented with the same tentative deal between the players and USA Hockey worked out last Monday at a meeting in Philadelphia.

What are the women seeking in a new deal?

Representatives for the women have not publicly stated the dollar figure they’re seeking as part of an agreement with USA Hockey, something the players have sought for nearly a year and a half.

But team captain Meghan Duggan said in a statement when the boycott was announced on March 15 that the players are seeking “a living wage from USA Hockey.”

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That’s been a non-starter from USA Hockey’s perspective.

“USA Hockey’s role is not to employ athletes and we will not do so,” USA Hockey president Jim Smith said in a statement earlier this month.

USA Hockey stated in a news release on March 17 that the women’s players are also seeking “a wide variety of other financial obligations to USA Hockey, such as business class airfare on flights of more than three hours, day care, nanny support and increased staffing that total more than $1.3 million.”

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What do the players receive now?

Currently, the players receive $6,000 apiece from USA Hockey in support every four years.

The money is spread over six months before the Winter Olympics. The core players receive about $3,000 per month during that six-month, pre-Olympic time period, although the additional money comes from U.S. Olympic Committee's Direct Athlete Support program. Some players receive as little as $700 per month in additional money from the USOC.

Do the men’s national team players get more support from USA Hockey than the women’s team?

As far as wages, the men’s team members don’t get paid any more than the women.

But, keep in mind, the U.S. men’s Olympic teams --- starting when the NHL first halted its season to allow players to compete in the Winter Games in 1998 --- have been comprised exclusively of NHL players. And even at the annual Men’s World Championship, about two-thirds of the team is made up of NHL players.

Since NHL players make millions, there’s no need for USA Hockey to kick in more money.

The men’s team, however, does have an edge in some benefits.

CNN Money reported that USA Hockey covers paid transportation for guests, and those guests are allowed to stay at the players' hotel for IIHF events --- like the World Championships --- and receive meals and game tickets.

Players on the women’s team stated that they are not allowed to bring guests and are forced to share rooms with teammates.

The men also travel to games in business class, while the women fly coach.

What happens if no deal is completed before Team USA’s first game of the World Championship?

USA Hockey has stated multiple times that its preference is to get a deal done with the existing team, but it has sought replacement players since Thursday.

Those attempts, however, have been thwarted by outreach efforts led by Duggan. Dozens of players ---- including high schoolers ---- have taken to social media to state they have turned down offers to be replacement players.

It’s unclear how many players have agreed to play at the World Championship. USA Hockey has been forced to inquire about players on NCAA Division III women’s hockey teams, adult league teams and Under-16 teams.

What kind of support has the women’s team received?

Several NHL players have come out in support of the women’s players both in interviews and on social media.

USA TODAY Sports reported on Sunday that the use of replacement players at the World Championship would “trigger” American NHL players to boycott their World Championship in May.

The NHL Players’ Association, Major League Baseball Players Association and the National Basketball Players Association issued statements last week supporting the women, and NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith said on Twitter over the weekend that the players have “the NFLPA's support in daring to withhold their services until a fair agreement is reached.”

The cause has also been recognized by Twitter and Instagram users, who have shown support with the hashtag “#BeBoldForChange.”