Feb. 5 (UPI) — The National Women’s Soccer League will establish a $5 million players restitution fund and establish other reforms in a settlement announced Wednesday after years of abuse.
The settlement stems from a criminal inquiry led by District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb, New York Attorney General Letitia James and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.
Attorneys general, league officials and the NWSL Players Association announced the settlement in a virtual news conference.
Two independent investigations confirmed misconduct was systemic across the league from 2013-2022.
The fund will be administered by former U.S. District Judge Barbara Jones, who was an independent member of the committee overseeing the 2022 NWSL/NWSLPA joint investigation.
Besides the fund, the league will ensure ongoing oversight to previously adopted policies and protections recommended in the Joint Investigative Team’s Report.
“The joint investigation was demanded by the NWSLPA because players risked everything to speak out in the face of a system that had failed them,” Meghann Burke, executive director of the National Women’s Soccer League Players Association, said.
“Reforms began with this reckoning and have reshaped the NWSL over the past three years. It is through the players’ courage and conviction that NWSL is now on a different trajectory.”
Burke noted accountability is not a “one-time event.”
She applauded the efforts of the attorneys general for “standing with players and for enforcing the recommendations of the Joint Investigative Team.
“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,” James said.
“This settlement sends a clear message that such misconduct will not be tolerated and ensures players receive the compensation and protections they deserve.” James added. “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.”
Erin Simon, a retired professional soccer player, said: “I am honored and grateful to have been part of the AGs’ investigation, sharing my story.”
Tori Huster, deputy executive director of NWSL, said: “The joint investigation was sought by players because, for too long, people in power refused to listen. Players suffered in silence. Change came about because of their bravery – speaking out, demanding change and refusing to back down.”
Abuse by coaches
Allegations emerged about abuse suffered by players by coaches that ranged from sexual coercion, unwanted touching and other sexual advances to emotional abuse and intimidation.
In 2021, players Sinead Farrelly and Mana Shim went public with accounts of sexual misconduct by Paul Riley while he was their head coach with the North Carolina Courage. A third player later spoke about Riley to independent investigators.
Later that year, former U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates did an independent investigation into abuse and sexual misconduct in women’s soccer, detailing widespread misogynistic and abusive culture at all levels of the sport.
Riley and the other head coaches — Richie Burke with the Washington Spirit, Rory Dames with the Chicago Red Stars and Christy Holly with Racing Louisville, were given lifetime bans. Others were barred for multiple years.
Sport’s growth
The league debuted with 10 teams in 2012 and has expanded to 14 teams with two more franchises to debut in 2026.
In 2022, the USWNT Players Association reached agreement with U.S. Soccer for equal pay. The USSF is the first national governing body to require matching money for both sexes.
The average annual pay for a USWNT player is $450,000, with the possibility of doubling that amount in World Cup years. The unions agreed to pool FIFA’s World Cup payments.
The 2024 Paris Olympics were the first in which women and men athletes competing on Team USA were guaranteed equal pay and benefits in their sport.
