The National Women’s Soccer League has reached a $5 million settlement with three attorneys general over past mistreatment of its athletes, including sexual misconduct and emotional abuse by coaches and officials dating back more than 10 years. The league failed to protect its players, resulting in investigations by New York, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. As part of the settlement, a $5 million fund will be created for players who experienced abuse to collect compensation, and individual players can still pursue private legal actions. The league has implemented reforms such as increased vetting of coaches, mental health professionals on staff, and increased training programs to prevent bullying and harassment.
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman has been focused on reform since taking over in 2022, including issuing lifetime bans against four former coaches involved in past misconduct. The league has also improved players’ contracts with the first collective bargaining agreement, attracting new wealthy ownership groups and private equity investing in player welfare. The league has seen business success with the recent addition of a new franchise in Denver, sold at a record expansion fee of $110 million. The NWSL will provide biannual reports to the AGs on complaints of misconduct for the next three years, with potential penalties of $2 million for non-compliance. The league is committed to maintaining player trust and creating a positive environment for athletes.
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