Former San Diego Wave employees sue club, NWSL for discrimination

Driving the news: The lawsuit, filed in San Diego Superior Court Monday and first reported by Defector, highlights what it calls toxic working conditions, a lack of support from management and inadequate investigations into employee complaints.

The big picture: NWSL clubs and the league itself have previously faced criticism for cultural and systemic issues perpetuating misconduct and abusive work environments for players.

• This lawsuit alleges those problems affect staff, not just athletes.

Context: One of the plaintiffs, former videographer and creative manager Brittany Alvarado, posted on social media about these allegations in July.

• The Wave immediately denied them, and the league said it previously investigated reports of misconduct within the club but found no violation of league policy.
• Alvarado's public accusations prompted club president Jill Ellis to file a defamation lawsuit, which is still pending.

What they're saying: "We've fought time and time again for people to have a safe space to make a living," regardless of race, gender and disability, attorney Micha Star Liberty told Axios.

• When you experience harassment, discrimination and retaliation, "your entire work environment changes and becomes toxic," she said. "What they're looking for is accountability."
• "As this matter is an ongoing legal proceeding, we are unable to comment further at this time," a Wave FC spokesperson said in an emailed statement.