In a groundbreaking move for women's sports, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) has been handed a historic settlement following numerous unsettling allegations of abuse within the league. DC Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul made the joint announcement. The NWSL is now required to establish a $5 million fund to compensate players who faced abuse and continue the execution of rigorous reforms aimed at boosting player safety and welfare. The settlement also entrusts the three state Attorneys General with the oversight and enforcement of the NWSL's new protocols ensuring better protection for the players.
Attorney General Schwalb emphasized the importance of player testimonies leading to this moment, asserting, "Today’s settlement is only possible because of the players who courageously stepped forward to tell their stories and expose the League’s systemic failures." His comment underlined that while the NWSL has inaugurated critical improvements, victims had not been compensated for the abuse they underwent. Details from the settlement, which follows an independent probe revealing widespread emotional abuse, discrimination, and sexual coercion in the NWSL, were dissected for the public in a release by the DC Attorney General's Office.
Meghann Burke, Executive Director of the NWSL Players Association, praised the players' resolve in initiating the investigation that brought these violations to light. "The human rights and civil rights violations they endured were enabled by a system that failed in its most basic duty: to protect its Players," said Burke. The settlement reaches beyond acknowledgment, crafting legal mechanisms to enforce the NWSL's compliance and proactively prevent future harm. It responds to both an investigation requested by the NWSLPA and NWSL and a separate inquiry by the United States Soccer Federation, carried out by former US Deputy Attorney General Sally Q. Yates.
As part of the agreement, the League must follow through with numerous policy changes, such as exhaustive vetting processes for coaches and key staff, multiple reporting mechanisms for misconduct, and mandatory annual training aimed at preventing an array of abuses - racism, harassment, and retaliation included. The NWSL Commissioner, Jessica Berman, acknowledged the efforts of all parties involved and reiterated the league's commitment to maintaining player trust. Yet amidst all declarations, a stark reality rings through—coaches with records of unsavory behavior had slipped through the cracks before, and the settlement now responds to years of accumulated negligence.
Players affected by the league's history of misconduct can expect further communication on the claims process from the Attorneys General offices. The NWSL, facing a critical juncture, is compelled by the settlement to submit bi-annual reports to the Attorney General. Failing to adhere to the terms could result in a $2 million civil penalty.
