As part of a settlement following accusations of emotional and sexual misconduct that rocked the league in 2021, the National Women’s Soccer League will create a $5 million fund for players.
The settlement with the league was announced on Wednesday by the attorneys general of Illinois, New York, and Washington, D.C.
The players that were abused will receive the money. Additionally, the settlement mandates that the league uphold the precautions established in the wake of two investigations that were made public in late 2022 and revealed systemic misbehavior that affected numerous teams, coaches, and players.
Additionally, it empowers the attorneys general, Brian L. Schwalb of Washington, D.C.; Letitia James of New York; and Kwame Raoul of Illinois, to supervise the NWSL’s post-scandal modifications and impose penalties on the league for noncompliance.
What the players had been going through and reporting for years was validated by two different investigations. During a conference call with media, Schwalb stated that there were systemic shortcomings in the league that allowed for a culture of improper and abusive behavior, including discrimination, coercion, sexual assault, verbal abuse, and harassment, without any clear safeguards for player safety. Due in great part to the players’ fervent advocacy, the league has undergone significant adjustments since the 2022 report. Crucially, though, the victims have never received payment for the mistreatment they suffered while under the league’s supervision.
Longtime NWSL coach Paul Riley was accused of sexual harassment and coercion by two former Portland Thorns players, Sinead Farrelly and Mana Shim, in 2021.
In the aftermath, the North Carolina Courage dismissed Riley, who has rejected the accusations. He was one of five league head coaches who resigned or were sacked in 2021 due to allegations of wrongdoing. At that time, the NWSL commissioner also quit.
Investigations into the claims were started by U.S. Soccer, the NWSL, and its players association. Former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Q. Yates headed the U.S. Soccer study, which discovered that sexual misconduct and emotional abuse were widespread in the sport.
The NWSL made adjustments to safeguard players after the investigation. Safeguards were also incorporated by the NWSL Players Association into the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
This deal is a huge accomplishment, and I’m especially thankful that it includes more mental health support for the athletes. The Yates report details how retired player Erin Simon was sexually harassed while playing for Racing Louisville in 2021 and 2022. It is a huge step, even though it doesn’t alter what happened or the misery endured by all the women—named and unnamed—who are still dealing with the fallout. We cannot give up on this ongoing battle because we must always be vigilant in order to defend the players.
Former Washington Spirit player and NWSLPA president Tori Huster gave appreciation to the players that jeopardized their careers to bring about change.
This restitution fund of $5 million is not a gift. It’s not fair either. Players’ refusal to be silenced is the reason this fund exists. Huster added, “And we found the courage to stand together as a collective.” This fund acknowledges the harm that players have experienced and their particular failures. It’s an essential step toward responsibility and a tribute to the athletes’ bravery. Players have worked hard to make the NWSL safer than it is now.
The settlement requires a number of safeguards to remain in place, including thorough screening of specific team members, channels for players to report abuse, free and unrestricted counseling for players, league safety officer access, and rules prohibiting teams from conducting their own investigations.
In light of the joint investigative reports, we have worked with the NWSLPA and the attorneys general to strengthen the programmatic changes we adopted in 2023. We are eager to assist the administrator in allocating the Players Restitution Fund, said current NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman in a statement. We’ll keep up the effort required to keep our players’ trust and create an environment that attracts the finest players in the globe.
The league said that retired Judge Barbara S. Jones, an independent member of the committee that was in charge of the 2022 NWSL’s probe with its players union, would be in charge of administering the restitution fund.
Jones will present a proposal for allocating the monies to the three attorneys general for approval after 45 days. Both current and former players will be informed upon acceptance and given six months to submit an application.
In 2013, the NWSL played its first season. There are now 14 teams in the professional women’s league, and two more will join in 2026.
Women’s soccer has entered a new era when players can drive without worrying about harassment or reprisals. James asserted that we can and will work together to create a future in which all athletes are valued, safe, and equipped to thrive and, most importantly, pursue their passion for the sport. Without the extraordinary bravery of the players who came forward to share their stories, none of this would have been possible.
— AP Soccer Writer Anne M. Peterson
