Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb and New York Attorney General Letitia James, has announced a significant settlement with the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). This development follows numerous allegations of harassment and sexual misconduct by players. An independent investigation confirmed systemic emotional abuse and sexual coercion within the league.
The NWSL is required to implement comprehensive reforms to enhance player safety and well-being. Additionally, Raoul and the attorneys general will oversee these new protocols. A $5 million fund will be established to compensate affected players.
“I commend the current and former players whose courage and leadership off the field was critical to reaching today’s settlement," said Raoul. "Because they spoke up for themselves and their teammates, they have brought about reform that will protect future players.”
The joint investigation launched in 2022 uncovered a culture of abuse where coaches verbally abused, sexually assaulted players, coerced them into inappropriate relationships, and retaliated against those who resisted or spoke out. Some teams failed to conduct background checks or inform others when a coach was terminated for misconduct.
In 2021, NWSL players publicly reported misconduct dating back over ten years. Two investigations revealed systemic failures that allowed verbal abuse, sexual assault, harassment, coercion, and discrimination by coaches without adequate player safety mechanisms. By the end of 2021, five NWSL teams had fired their coaches due to these issues.
“This investigation was initiated by the NWSLPA because players refused to stay silent in the face of systemic abuse,” said Meghann Burke from the NWSLPA. “This settlement not only acknowledges those failures but establishes enforcement mechanisms under the law."
Tori Huster from the NWSL highlighted that “this investigation was player-led because...players suffered in silence – ignored by those in a position to prevent this harm.” She emphasized that this settlement is a testament to their courage.
Rory Dames resigned in 2021 after being found responsible for creating a culture of fear through emotional and verbal abuse at Chicago Red Stars. The league had been aware of his conduct since at least 2014 but failed to take appropriate action.
Besides creating a restitution fund for impacted players, the NWSL faces potential penalties if it fails to comply with agreement terms. Under oversight from Raoul and other attorneys general, extensive protocol changes are mandated across all teams for improved player protection.
Bureau Chief Amy Meek and Assistant Attorney General Alexandra Reed handled this case for Attorney General Raoul’s Civil Rights Bureau.