Thorns players central to NWSL abuse settlement
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Numerous NWSL players, including two from the Portland Thorns, have come forward with allegations of abuse. Photo: Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The National Women's Soccer League has agreed to establish a $5 million fund for players harmed by abuse or harassment as part of a settlement stemming from over a decade of allegations, including from two members of the Portland Thorns.
Why it matters: The settlement comes years after players risked their careers and publicly shared stories of mental, verbal and sexual misconduct, including allegations against former Portland Thorns coach Paul Riley, who denied any wrongdoing.
Driving the news: Illinois, New York and Washington, D.C., attorneys general on Wednesday announced the settlement with the league after they say they found the league had a culture of "inappropriate and abusive behavior, including sexual harassment and harassment and discrimination based upon gender, race, and sexual orientation."
Zoom in: The AGs' report says that as far back as 2013 the league was aware of verbal and emotional abuse, including examples of racism and sexist harassment detailed in players' complaints, but those complaints were largely ignored.
- In 2021, two Thorns players — Sinead Farrelly and Mana Shim — went on the record with allegations that included Riley coercing Farrelly into having sex and sending the women unsolicited sexual pictures.
- "I have never had sex with, or made sexual advances towards these players," Riley, who was fired from the North Carolina Courage over the allegations but never charged with a crime, told the Athletic.
- He was among five head coaches who were fired or resigned that year after allegations of misconduct.
Flashback: In 2022, U.S. Soccer released the findings of an independent investigation led by former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates that revealed systemic verbal, physical and sexual abuse across the league.
State of play: In addition to the $5 million restitution fund, the settlement requires unlimited free mental health services for players and the establishment of a system of accountability within the NWSL.
What they're saying: "This $5 million restitution fund is not a gift, nor is it justice. This fund exists because players refused to be silenced and we found the courage to stand together as a collective," NWSL Players Association president and former player Tori Huster said at a press conference.
- Huster called the fund an acknowledgment of the league's failures and "a testament to the players' courage and a necessary step toward accountability."
The other side: "We remain grateful to the many brave individuals who came forward to share their experiences, which has informed our approach to systemic reform," NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said in a statement.
What's next: A retired judge will serve as administrator of the fund and has up to 45 days to develop a plan and submit that plan to the attorneys general for approval.
- Once approved, the administrator will notify players no less than 15 days before the fund's opening. Once open, players will then have six months to apply.