Reports of ongoing misconduct at “more than half” of NWSL clubs during the 14-month inquiry.
CHICAGO, IL–A Joint Investigation from the NWSL and NWSL Players’ Association (NWSLPA) released its findings on Wednesday and highlights that “the underlying culture of the NWSL created fertile ground for misconduct to go unreported.” Additionally, the report notes that institutions meant to investigate and address misconduct failed to do so effectively.
The report faults the US Soccer Federation, the league, and its clubs for not making clear who had ‘ultimate responsibility’ for establishing and enforcing policies and practices relating to misconduct.
US Soccer said in a statement that it was “carefully reviewing the report”, adding: “We are grateful to the NWSL and NWSLPA for their important efforts to understand the factors that led to abuse in women’s professional soccer and to identify meaningful steps to ensure player safety moving forward.”
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman, who took over the position in April, acknowledged in a statement that the league “systemically failed to protect” its players.
The NWSLPA also released its statement highlighting the need for the league to come through on its promises to keep player health and safety front and center.
“This investigation is the result of the courage and collective action from the Players. Now that the facts are known, it will again require action from not only the Players, but the entire NWSL ecosystem, to bring about the transformation intended from the start of this investigation. It takes all of us – Players, Fans, Teams, Sponsors, Partners, Media, and the League – doing our part. We know that the NWSL can be the best league in the world, but it will take all of us.”
The report summarizes the misconduct in particular of Paul Riley both at Portland Thorns and North Carolina Courage, Rory Dames at Chicago Red Stars, and Christy Holly at Racing Louisville and how the federation, the league, and its clubs failed to properly address these issues.
In regards to Dames, it was revealed in the Joint Investigation report that Red Stars owner Arnim Whisler contemplated keeping Dames involved with the Red Stars in a non-player-facing role, such as a sporting director or draft consultant in light of a Washington Post report exposes Dames’s abuses. Based on the findings of the external review, Whisler told Dames that he should offer his resignation or he would be terminated that day.
After Dames tendered his resignation, Whisler entered into a separation agreement with Dames—even though Dames was terminable at will. Whisler recalled that the club worked to get the severance agreement “done by midnight” on November 21st and he signed the agreement that night. The severance agreement provided that “Dames and the [Red Stars] may in the future enter into a new independent contracting relationship and wish to make clear their ability to do so upon a mutual agreement.” The club also agreed to pay Dames through the end of the year. Whisler said he believed that Dames might still be able to assist with the draft or contribute to the club in other ways, and wanted to “preserve” the option in the agreement. According to Whisler, when he read the Washington Post article the next day describing Dames’s pattern of abuse and harassment, it became clear that Dames could not take on such a new role with the club.
The separation agreement included mutual non-disparagement and confidentiality provisions, and a mutual release of claims. As applied to the Red Stars, the non-disparagement clause restricted not only Whisler but also “[all]owners, executive and senior management and front office staff” from making any negative, critical, or disparaging statements about Dames. The clause prevented Dames from making any negative, critical, or disparaging remarks about Whisler or the Red Stars, but did not restrict Dames’s remarks about players. Whisler claimed that such an agreement was ‘standard’.
Whisler announced on December 5th that he was selling his majority stake in the club. Racing Louisville also entered a severance agreement with Christy Holly.
The report also cites incidents regarding Alyse LaHue at Gotham FC, former Houston Dash head coach Vera Pauw, former Chicago Red Stars assistant coach and Utah Royals head coach Craig Harrison, Washington Spirit coach Richie Burke, former OL Reign head coach Farid Benstiti, former Houston Dash head coach James Clarkson, and the technical staff of the 2021-22 Orlando Pride.
Eight of the 12 NWSL clubs were faulted for inaction or complicity amidst allegations of misconduct. The four exceptions were new teams in 2022 Angel City FC and San Diego Wave, Orlando Pride, and Houston Dash even though the latter two clubs had personnel cited for their alleged misconduct.
COMMENT: Like after the Yates Report, it is imperative that the NWSL follow through with the recommendations made there and with this Joint Investigations report. Hiring a player safety officer and providing training for players and coaches, along with team and league staff are steps forward. There also needs to be a fitness test as it relates to owners as to whether or not they will ensure that the workplaces they would oversee are safe for players and staff alike. US Soccer should support the initiatives suggested and fill in potential gaps where the NWSL may lack jurisdiction. With a Women’s World Cup on the horizon, the league needs to clean things up with its clubs or risk facing an ignominious demise that would harm the sport long-term, not least for women’s soccer as a whole.
