CHICAGO, IL–One day after the Yates Report detailed how Chicago Red Stars owner Arnim Whisler knew about the pattern of misconduct by former coach Rory Dames, Whisler removed himself from the NWSL Board of Governors and ceded operational control of the club to his executive team in Chicago.
In a statement, Whisler stated the following after the release of the report the following:
“There are few things in life that I have as much love and admiration for than our Chicago Red Stars. That’s why after reviewing yesterday’s report, I am filled with sorrow upon reading the many stories and experiences shared by so many incredibly brave individuals who have played in the NWSL, including our beloved club. I am so deeply sorry for what our players experienced during their time spent in Chicago. Our organization is committed to rebuilding trust and respect among players and staff towards our league and club, and I recognize that my current presence is a distraction. I do not want to take any of the attention away from the players’ incredible and well earned playoff run. So in the interest of the club and the players, and fans we serve, effective immediately, I will remove myself from my governance role within the NWSL board of governors and will hand over operational control of the club to our executive team in Chicago.”
Whisler continued by saying he would cooperate with the Joint Investigative Team.
The Yates Report detailed decades of abuse”by Dames not just at the Red Stars, but at Eclipse Soccer Club where he was owner and coach. The report details a player surveys taken in 2014 and 2015 that labeled Dames “abusive” and “unprofessional” and that the Red Stars was a ‘hostile work environment’ and that Dames created a ‘culture of fear’.
After the 2014 player survey, Whisler told Bailey, then the executive director of the NWSL, that Dames had “offered his resignation because of the embarrassment” of the player feedback, but Whisler had rejected it. After the 2015 survey, Plush emailed the results to U.S. Soccer CCO Jay Berhalter, Flynn and Ellis, telling them that some of the allegations are “quite disturbing,” but no action was taken. Whisler went so far as to accuse one of the reporting players of “trying to take Rory out”.
OPINION: We agree wholeheartedly with Ruben Tisch of “Hot Time in Old Town” with his editorial after the Yates Report came out. Not only was Whisler aware of the allegations and abuse of Rory Dames, but on occasion accused National Team players of trying to wreck the NWSL and “take Rory out.” Whisler and Dames had what was described as a “mutually beneficial relationship”. The report also states Dames “never had an employment contract” with the Red Stars an instead became a 1099 contractor in 2013–the Red Stars’ first year in NWSL. His salary went from $36,000 to $108,000 in 2021 when he resigned.
Based on what we know now from the report, Arnim Whisler’s position with the Red Stars was going to be untenable and his stepping away from operation control was inevitable, though many Red Stars fans–as well as this website–suggest he sell his share of the club. We also suggest the NWSL follow the 12 recommendations detailed in the report and that US Soccer makes sure steps are taken that not just the NWSL, but soccer clubs from youth up to the professional ranks provide working environments safe of the abuse and misconduct allegedly perpetrated by Dames, Paul Riley, and Christy Holly.
It shouldn’t be hard to be a good human being. However, the Yates Report has detailed how so many people failed at being human beings. We repeat that the league and US Soccer follow the recommendations of the Yates Report and prevent such toxic cultures from occurring in this sports at least in this country from re-occurring.
