The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) has reached a landmark settlement, establishing a $5 million fund for players who experienced sexual and emotional abuse, according to a joint announcement made Wednesday by the league and several attorneys general.
The settlement marks the conclusion of a protracted legal battle stemming from widespread misconduct allegations that rocked the league in 2021. That year saw the forced resignations of five head coaches and the league commissioner after systemic abuse was uncovered through investigations conducted by both the NWSL and U.S. Soccer.
Under the terms of the settlement, the $5 million fund will be specifically allocated to players who suffered abuse, with eligibility extending to both current and former players. The agreement also mandates that the league maintain safeguards and safety measures that were implemented following the 2022 investigation findings.
The settlement includes oversight provisions, with attorneys general from Washington, D.C., New York, and Illinois being empowered to enforce compliance and levy fines against the league for any violations of the established rules.
Tori Huster, former Washington Spirit midfielder and current NWSLPA Deputy Executive Director, offered a powerful statement on behalf of the players: "This $5 million restitution fund is not a gift. Nor is it justice. This fund exists because players refuse to be silenced. And we found the courage to stand together as a collective." She emphasized that the fund represents an acknowledgment of the league's failures and the harm inflicted upon players, while crediting player activism for making the NWSL safer.
League Commissioner Jessica Berman expressed commitment to maintaining player trust, stating, "We have worked collaboratively with the NWSLPA and the attorneys general to add greater strength to the programmatic changes we adopted in 2023 in light of the joint investigative reports." She added that the league looks forward to supporting the administrator in distributing the Players' Restitution Fund.
Barbara S. Jones, an independent retired judge who participated in the investigation, has been given 45 days to develop a distribution plan for the settlement funds. This plan will determine how the $5 million will be allocated among eligible current and former players affected by the misconduct.
The settlement represents a significant step toward accountability in women's professional soccer, emerging from one of the most challenging periods in the league's history. The NWSLPA's successful push to incorporate abuse prevention measures into the Collective Bargaining Agreement underscores the players' determination to create lasting change in the sport's culture and governance.
