The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has agreed to a $5 million settlement following a joint investigation by the attorneys general of the District of Columbia, New York, and Illinois into years of misconduct and abuse that players endured within the league.
The settlement, announced by D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, follows extensive allegations of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation by coaches and officials over a decade.
Under the settlement terms, the NWSL will establish a restitution fund to compensate affected players and adopt sweeping reforms to prevent future abuse. The attorneys general will have direct oversight to ensure the league implements and enforces its new policies.
“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,” said Schwalb. “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. No dollar amount could ever fully address the damage that was inflicted, but now my office, together with New York and Illinois, will have oversight authority to ensure that the league’s new safety policies are implemented and that current and future players are protected.”
James said the agreement delivers justice for players who suffered under a broken system.
“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,” she said. “This settlement sends a clear message that such misconduct will not be tolerated and ensures players receive the compensation and protections they deserve.”
Raoul credited the players for their role in holding the league accountable. “I commend the current and former players whose courage and leadership off the field was critical to reaching today’s settlement,” he said. “Because they spoke up for themselves and their teammates, they have brought about reform that will protect future players.”
Years of Abuse and League Failures
The settlement follows years of reports detailing widespread misconduct across the NWSL. Investigations conducted by the league, the U.S. Soccer Federation, and the attorneys general revealed that emotional abuse, discrimination, and sexual coercion were pervasive.
Findings showed that multiple coaches sexually assaulted or harassed players, coerced them into inappropriate relationships, and retaliated against those who resisted or spoke out. Many of these coaches were rehired by other teams despite prior misconduct. Sometimes, teams ignored player complaints and dismissed allegations as personal disputes.
The report cited instances where coaches made racist remarks, used slurs, and subjected players to extreme verbal abuse. One coach referred to Black players as “thugs” and forced players to share intimate personal details in the locker room. Another coach made offensive jokes about the Holocaust, mocked religious headwear, and used racial slurs in front of players.
Despite ongoing complaints, the NWSL lacked clear protocols for addressing misconduct. Investigators found that teams failed to conduct background checks on new hires, enabling abusive coaches to remain in power for years. The league conducted only two workplace conduct trainings in its first eight years and had no formal anti-harassment policy until 2021.
The league also failed to act on its own internal player surveys, which raised concerns about toxic environments and inappropriate behavior. Coaches held excessive control over players, including decisions about housing and medical care, and in some instances, players were forced to compete despite medical advice.
Settlement Terms and Reforms
The settlement establishes a $5 million restitution fund for affected players, with any unclaimed funds directed to the NWSL Players Association’s (NWSLAPA) emergency and charitable fund.
The league will also be required to implement the following measures under attorney general oversight:
• Conduct rigorous vetting of coaches, general managers, athletic trainers, and player safety officers.
• Prohibit coaches from having control over player housing or medical decisions.
• Require background checks and prohibit teams from investigating themselves in misconduct cases.
• Establish a league-wide safety officer.
• Each team is required to employ HR personnel and at least one mental health professional.
• Implement mandatory annual training on bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, racism, and retaliation.
• Provide unlimited free and confidential counseling services for all players.
• Submit bi-annual reports to the attorneys general over the next three years on the enforcement of settlement terms.
• Pay a $2 million civil penalty if the league materially defaults on the settlement’s requirements.
The NWSL Players Association initiated the investigation and called the agreement an essential step toward protecting players.
“This investigation was initiated by the NWSLPA because players refused to stay silent in the face of systemic abuse,” said Meghann Burke, executive director of the NWSLPA. “The human rights and civil rights violations they endured were enabled by a system that failed in its most basic duty: to protect its players.”
Officials said players will soon receive further details from the attorneys general regarding the claims administration process.
Tori Huster, deputy executive director of the NWSL, said the settlement was made possible by determining which players refused to accept abuse as the norm.
“This investigation was player-led because, for too long, people in power refused to listen. Players suffered in silence—ignored by those in a position to prevent this harm,” she said.
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said the league remains committed to change.
“We remain grateful to the many brave individuals who came forward to share their experiences, which has informed our approach to systemic reform,” she said.
