NWSL commissioner resigns amid sexual harassment, abuse scandal

Baird has been a focal point for criticism on the league's handling of the sexual harassment and abuse allegations.

• Baird implied in a statement she had just learned of the accusations this week following an investigative report from The Athletic.
• But emails later released by Orlando Pride and U.S. women's national team forward Alex Morgan showed that NWSL leadership was aware of at least some of the incidents for several months.

Driving the news: Multiple NWSL players, after years of silence, recently detailed cases of harassment and abuse, often at the hands of male coaches, Axios' Kendal Baker reports.

• The North Carolina Courage fired coach Paul Riley on Thursday over allegations of sexual coercion, which span multiple teams and go back more than a decade.

• The Washington Spirit this week also fired coach Richie Burke following a harassment investigation.

The big picture: The NWSL players' association, which is currently negotiating its first contract, called for an end to "systemic abuse plaguing the NWSL" and demanding safety and economic rights for the players.

Go deeper: FIFA opens investigation into NWSL allegations of abuse