National Women’s Soccer League Settled for $5M Over Player Abuse, N…

New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced a historic $5 million settlement with the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) after an investigation uncovered a systemic culture of inappropriate and abusive behavior.

The investigation, which involved Illinois and Washington, D.C. Attorneys General, found widespread violations of players’ rights, including emotional abuse and sexual coercion. The NWSL will establish a $5 million fund for victims and implement sweeping reforms with state enforcement of new safety protocols.

In 2021, several NWSL players publicly reported harassment and sexual misconduct, prompting investigations that revealed systemic failures within the league to prevent or respond to these issues. Coaches were found to engage in verbal abuse, sexual assault, and coercive relationships with players, often with no repercussions for their actions.

Among the cases highlighted was that of a coach who resigned after being accused of creating a culture of fear and emotional abuse. The league had been aware of this coach’s behavior since 2014 but failed to take adequate action. Additionally, it was discovered that some teams did not conduct background checks on coaches, allowing those with previous misconduct to be rehired.

Attorney General James emphasized the importance of safe environments for athletes, thanking the players who came forward for their bravery. The settlement and subsequent reforms aim to ensure a better future for NWSL players.