New York Attorney General Letitia James, along with two other state attorneys general, has announced a $5 million settlement with the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) over claims of emotional and sexual abuse committed against its players. The money from the settlement will be placed into a fund to help athletes who were abused while playing for the League. In addition, the NWSL has agreed to put a number of safeguards in place that are meant to protect against future abuses.
Settlement Meant to Address “Systemwide Failures”
This settlement closes a series of lawsuits dating back to 2022, when two investigations revealed a shocking pattern of abuse within the NWSL. Among other things, the investigations found that some within the organization engaged in abusive and harassing behavior, including verbal abuse, harassment, discrimination, coercion, and sexual assault. Moreover, victims had little recourse, with no real system in place to address abuse or protect players from harm.
Pattern of Abuse Went Back Years
Sadly, much of the behavior described in the settlement is not new. In some cases, the allegations dated back at least a decade, including allegations against at least five coaches who were either fired or resigned in 2021 after being accused of abuse. While the NWSL took some steps after the scandal to protect players, they were not considered to be adequate to address the situation.
NWSL To Institute Safeguards Against Abuse
In addition to the $5 million settlement, which is meant to be distributed to players who were abused while in the League, the NWSL has been tasked with putting forward additional measures to protect players from this kind of abuse. These additional safeguards include more intensive vetting of personnel to prevent potential abusers from being hired, as well as new mechanisms for players to report abuse. Players will also have free access to counseling to assist with the psychological harm from abuse and harassment.
A Step Forward For Female Athletes
In all, the settlement is a major step forward in terms of addressing the culture of abuse that these athletes faced. However, it is ultimately just one step, and there is always more work to be done. Quoting employment law attorney Andrew Sack:
“Women in sports are getting more courageous by the day, and this latest news concerning the settlement reached by the AGs of New York, Illinois and Washington D.C. and the NWSL to ensure the safety of its players and ensure that they will be protected moving forward is proof that all athletes can be assured that leagues will look out for the safety and well-being of their members or face serious consequences. No one should have to live in fear of retaliation if they are mistreated in the workplace, no matter the industry.”
If you have an employment issue, give the Law Office of Andrew Ross Sack a call. Andrew Ross Sack is a New York and New Jersey employment lawyer who has considerable experience in handling the many aspects of labor and employment law. To schedule a consultation with New York City/Long Island/Westchester employment lawyer Andrew Ross Sack, call (516) 526-3319 or visit his contact page.
