The NWSL will establish a $5 million compensation fund for players who experienced abuse in the league.
The settlement agreement was announced by the attorneys general of the District of Columbia, New York and Illinois on Wednesday, which is National Girls and Women in Sports Day.
The fund is the result of a joint investigation “into pervasive sexual harassment and abuse by coaches against players, and systemic failures by the National Women’s Soccer League,” per the settlement agreement.
The investigation followed a Sally Yates report on sexual abuse released in October 2022 and a similar report from the NWSL and NWSL Players Association, which was released in December 2022.
“For too long, the hardworking and talented women of the National Women’s Soccer League were forced to endure an unacceptable culture of abuse, harassment, and retaliation,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement. “This settlement sends a clear message that such misconduct will not be tolerated and ensures players receive the compensation and protections they deserve. Every athlete should be able to compete in a safe, supportive environment, and I thank the brave individuals who came forward to share their experiences.”
Here’s what you need to new about the NWSL’s new abuse settlement.
What does the NWSL’s new abuse settlement include?
The attorneys general noted that the NWSL has taken valuable steps since the release of the previous reports and allegations, such as when it appointed commissioner Jessica Berman and finalized a new collective bargaining agreement.
But the attorneys general are ordering more reforms to be made, and they’ll have oversight responsibilities to ensure the league’s implementation of the reforms.
The league must send reports to the attorneys general every six months for the next three years detailing the NWSL’s progress and any misconduct complaints.
“We have worked collaboratively with the NWSLPA and the attorneys general to add greater strength to the programmatic changes we adopted in 2023 in light of the joint investigative reports, and we look forward to supporting the administrator in distributing the Players’ Restitution Fund. We will continue to do the work necessary to maintain the trust of our players,” Berman said in a statement.
Per the settlement agreement, the NWSL will implement the following policy changes:
- “Conducting rigorous vetting of prospective coaches, general managers, athletic trainers, and player safety officers.
- “Implementing multiple mechanisms for players to report misconduct.
- “Prohibiting coaches from having exclusive control over player housing or medical decisions.
- “Adopting a policy that teams may not investigate themselves regarding coach misconduct and player safety.
- “Establishing a league safety officer.
- “Requiring teams to employ dedicated HR personnel and at least one mental health professional.
- “Mandating annual training for all players and staff on how to prevent bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, racism, and retaliation, and the reporting mechanisms available to players.
- “Providing the attorneys general with the results of annual, anonymous player surveys of coach conduct and team culture.
- “Providing unlimited free and confidential counseling services to all players.”
If the NWSL fails to make these policy changes or to compensate players using the restitution fund, the league could face a $2 million civil penalty.
The NWSL’s player restitution fund
The $5 million player restitution fund “will compensate current or former players who suffered conduct constituting Serious Misconduct Involving Player Safety” per the settlement agreement.
“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. While NWSL has made critical improvements, the victims never received any compensation for the sexual and emotional abuse they endured on the League’s watch,” D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb said in a statement.
The fund will be overseen by a third-party administrator: former U.S. District Judge Barbara Jones.
Players have 180 days to file a claim. The unused funds, if any, will be donated to the players association’s emergency and charitable fund.