The National Women’s Soccer League reportedly received a loan from the government to pay players wages for two months amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The money was given to the league through the Paycheck Protection Program but the amount loaned has not been disclosed.

The NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird told The New York Times: “Our sole intent in applying for the PPP loan was to continue player compensation.

“With ours, the calculus was pretty simple. Either you’re going to pay your players or you’re going to furlough them. What could we do?”

The Times also reported the US Soccer Federation has returned the money it received.

This is a similar move to the National Basketball Association team the LA Lakers. They reportedly were loaned $4 million and returned the money.

The NWSL is now back underway with a one-month-long tournament dubbed the Challenge Cup. It kicked off on June 27 and North Carolina Courage are currently topping the table with two wins from two.

The opening match between Courage and Portland Thorns is reported to be the most watched NWSL game ever with 572,000 people tuning in.