Text messages between Whisler and Dames in the days following the complaint suggest that Levines approach to the investigation increased the risk of both retaliation against players and interference with the investigation. Wilkins, Estes, O'Connor, and outside legal counsel met with Holly later that day and terminated his employment. Simon described Pearce Rampone as a close friend, and Simon said both Pearce Rampone and Holly were mentors to her "in soccer." Players also expressed concerns about the financial viability of their individual clubs. When Racing Louisville learned of Holly's sexual misconduct toward Erin Simon, the club acted quickly, firing him within hours of speaking to Simon, and in spite of a request from the NWSL that they pause to let the League investigate. The owner said that if the player and staff member wanted to continue their relationship, then one or both would have to not be employed. In 2020, another club learned that a staff member was in a relationship with a player, and the player described the relationship as "loving and consensual." b)
YOU'RE FIRED: Gotham FC sacks GM LaHue, claiming she violated NWSL The annual training should be interactive, with opportunities for participants to ask questions and receive feedback.
The NWSL ran its standard background check, and its resulting report contained no significant adverse findings. The prospective owner asked how "pervasive" the problem was and wrote that he need[ed] to know that NWSL is protecting these girls and is vigilant about preventing such abuses of power in the future."
One player reported that former OL Reign Head Coach Farid Benstiti announced to players, "If I see you eat snacks, I will kill you." Burke used the N-word in recounting a story to a Black player, made jokes and racially insensitive remarks about Black Lives Matter, and used antisemitic language in comments to the team. Develop and Enforce a Responsible Drinking Policy Applicable to All NWSL Staff, Club Staff, and Players
In describing that meeting, Estes said that "the ultimate corroboration came from Christy Holly." .
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109, result of the failure to share information, the NWSL, the Red Stars, and players were left with the impression that Dames's behavior was deemed acceptable by U.S. Soccer. While Gotham's July 2021 announcement of General Manager Alyse LaHue's termination specified that LaHue had violated "League policy," it did not specify that she had violated the League's prohibition of harassment. "An independent review of practices and policies at the league and club levels-including workplace policies for each club in the league, league-mandated anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policy, and processes for identifying, investigating, and enforcing
Riley also held club events for players at his Long Island home, where players reported that they drank with him during their stay. They warned Predmore that he [needed] to double check on Benstiti's comments to Horan and noted that they were "flagging it for him. The player wondered, "How the hell am I going to lose 10 to 15 pounds without starving myself? Paulson said that Wahlke had spoken with Levine and that Wahlke had some knowledge about the 2015 complaint and findings, including that the investigation found no unlawful harassment. Riley also would tell players that he wanted "to see two women kiss," and made other statements that one player described as "homophobic." 81, After the end of the 2021 season, when the Current finished in last place in the League, Williams was relieved of his coaching duties, and he moved to a scouting role at the Current.
1. 22, b)
In another incident, players reported that Clarkson criticized an injured player. Shim, feeling pressured and placed on the spot, kissed with
Sexual misconduct, as used in this Report, is a broad term intended to encompass a range of conduct, including conduct that could be described as sexual assault, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment. Players explained that this dynamic can be exacerbated for bench players or newer players who might not feel empowered to speak up, or who might feel that their position on the team is not sufficiently secure.
In response to the August 11, 2021 Washington Post article stating that Burke verbally and emotionally abused players, Levine told others at the NWSL that the League had not received any complaints about Burke, despite a
Some clubs provide housing for both staff and players, and in some cases, staff and players lived in the same apartment complexes. The same player stated that Holly would "attack" another player about her boyfriend, and Holly would tell this player that he felt like he was dating her. As described in the following sections, the failure to fully and adequately investigate and address these reports harmed NWSL players and discouraged players and other stakeholders from reporting misconduct. The league retained Covington & Burling LLP, while the NWSLPA retained Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. The calendar crisis explained. Previously, Alyse spend five years as the GM of the Chicago Red Stars. Another player who participated in the USSF Dames Investigation told the investigator that Dames once interfered with her plans to visit her boyfriend on an away trip. Seven days after the investigation began, Garcia completed a final investigative report, dated September 23, 2015, which was reviewed by attorneys from the law firm retained by the Thorns. Riley engaged in additional misconduct while at the Courage. The League has committed to communicating and consulting with the NWSLPA in player-involved investigations as part of these procedures. This week has felt a bit like an unloading or a purging of all of these stories that have been collected over time, Burke said. Horan spoke publicly about weight-shaming behaviors at PSG on multiple occasions before Benstiti's hiring at OL Reign. Over time, she felt that Dames was learning details of her personal life" from these players and felt the need to "distance herself" from them. Neither the club nor U.S. Soccer followed up on indications from the investigation that suggested Riley may have had a more extensive relationship with Farrelly. Require Separate Housing Accommodations for Players and Club Staff
Nonetheless, the Courage were aware when they executed an employment contract with Riley of an allegation that Riley had suggested two players kiss while at his apartment after a night of drinking, and that an investigation into Riley showed he exhibited poor judgment.
The player told Predmore she understood. Malik reported that he told Cone that there were no concerns with Riley on the Courage, but that Malik understood there had been issues involving Riley in the past, and he and Cone discussed Riley drinking alcohol with players in 2015. This information suggested that Riley might pose a danger to players, but the Courage did not take adequate steps to learn the findings of the investigation, reflecting a lack of appreciation for the power dynamics between players and coaches, and the Courage employed Riley despite knowing of this allegation. A USWNT staff member said they were familiar with Benstiti before the Reign hired him and recalled that "everyone had heard rumors of his treatment of Lindsey Horan" because "it was public." Riley went on to be named head coach for two other NWSL clubs, the Western New York Flash and the Courage, in 2016 and 2017, respectively. By the end of the 2021 season, multiple players who had participated in the meeting were traded, waived, or not re-signed. For example, players at the Thorns and at Racing Louisville were unaware that both clubs had designated full-time HR staff. The courses also apparently do not describe the process whereby participants can report misconduct. Players on NWSL clubs are NWSL employees, while coaches and other team personnel are club employees. He also recalled being told that players were concerned about the amount of training given to non-starters. Under the language of the policy, the question in evaluating conduct is whether it has the potential to cause emotional harm for a similarly situated player, and not whether the target of the conduct in fact experienced such harm or whether the emotional harm was specifically intended. Riley made sexual comments towards Kurtz, including giving her detailed accounts of his sex life on a number of occasions in what appeared to be an attempt to invite her to do the same in return; that conduct waned only when Kurtz was in a serious relationship. When interviewed by the Joint Investigative Team, Burke admitted making these comments but did not acknowledge their offensiveness. 93, In one case, an individual designated to receive player complaints was accused of misconduct, leaving players feeling as though they had no recourse to report those individuals. Furthermore, Thorns owner and then-CEO Merritt Paulson and then-Thorns General Manager Gavin Wilkinson were familiar with the 2015 allegations and findings against Riley, but they were not transparent with the Flash and the Courage when those clubs were vetting Riley. When the team arrived in Chicago, Dames "gave the team the entire weekend off." 3. Because background checks were not required for player-facing staff until late 2021, several of the coaches, staff, and other individuals discussed in this Report were not subject to those checks. Gulati also stated that U.S. Soccer relied on the League and the clubs to develop their own policies regarding misconduct, but he did not recall ever conveying to the clubs that they were responsible for setting up these policies. Due in part to the perceived close relationship between Burke and club ownership and management, players did not feel comfortable expressing concerns about Burke. a)
Sky Blue FC aims to leave Rutgers' Yurcak Field after 2019 NWSL season 5. The report also indicated that Gotham was one of seven clubs where players indicated to the Joint Investigative Team that they were unaware of whether the club had HR personnel or otherwise did not know to whom they could report concerns at their club. The NWSL should train all League and club staff designated to receive complaints and other club leaders, including coaches, on how to respond to complaints of misconduct and on investigative best practices. 12, The League revised certain terms in the 2022 Anti-Harassment Policy to define different types of prohibited misconduct, and to make clear who is protected by the policy and who must comply with it. A player who participated in the USSF Dames Investigation told the investigator about an instance in which Dames kept her from visiting her parents. Players from other clubs shared similar sentiments: for example, players from one club said they feared a coach would retaliate if they reported concerns about him because they had seen him lash out" at players during meetings and because he had once removed a player from the roster after an on-field disagreement. This may include engaging with the NWSLPA or third-party experts regarding reforms, including the measures the Joint Investigative Team recommends below, to ensure that they are implemented in a way that meets players' needs. In 2019, when U.S. Soccer was considering Riley for the role of USWNT head coach, Duffy and Levine worked with NWSL communications staff to prepare a draft public statement related to the complaints against Riley and the investigation into his conduct. When one player opened the door, she told Harrington that she and her roommate did not want to go back out for drinks. As discussed in more detail below, Pauw also strictly controlled players' eating and workout habits. The player reported that when her teammate had approached the owner about mistreatment by Burke, Baldwin "did nothing about it." North Carolina Courage
This player told the Joint Investigative Team that she did not feel comfortable reporting Burke's misconduct to Spirit club leadership because of Burke's control over players' careers and because of his seeming closeness with certain club staff and leadership.
Some coaches would also explicitly wield their power over players' career success, including consideration for the USWNT, to manipulate players or bring them in line.
Another Courage player told team leadership last year that Riley had been verbally abusive and created "a culture of fear.".
Witnesses also reported that the coach attempted to get another player to dance with him and told her he did not care about her sexuality. I don't want her anywhere around the team." Players credibly reported that Pauw criticized players for their appearance for example, saying that some players were "too big" while praising other players for losing weight, with no apparent correlation to performance or health. 30, requests from the Joint Investigative Team, making it likely that Paulson understood that there would be limitations on the NWSL's ability to share it.
One player recalled that Holly "suddenly exploded" during the meeting. On September 20, 2020, the Royals placed Head Coach Craig Harrington on a leave of absence, which public reporting stated was related to "inappropriate comments of a sexual nature with staff." Shim recalled feeling uncomfortable because she felt that Riley was treating the evening like a date. Simon shoved Holly's hands away, and in response, she felt that Holly looked at her like it was a "challenge." The March Investigation focused on concerns that Cromwell inappropriately showed favoritism towards certain players, communicated with players in an unprofessional manner, and inappropriately commented on players' physical appearances, and that Greene inappropriately showed favoritism towards certain players. Gulati recalled that he was aware in 2014 that Dames offered his resignation to Whisler because of the 2014 player survey responses, but Whisler did not accept. Some owners described their involvement in terms that one would not expect from owners of professional sports franchises. Misunderstandings resulting from the way the findings were conveyed contributed to the development of substantial tension and divisiveness within the locker room. 3. The Thorns's 2015 report clearly established certain of Shim's uncontested allegations, including that Riley made alcohol available to Shim and Farrelly at his apartment and danced with Shim, and that the players kissed at Riley's apartment that night (something Shim and another player corroborated was done to avoid the suicide mile); that Riley had one-on-one film sessions at his apartment with Shim and had dinner alone with Shim; that Riley sent Shim a series of inappropriate text messages; and that Riley deleted an email from Shim to Riley informing him that his conduct was inappropriate without telling his superiors about Shim's email. 116
Many players who spoke with the Joint Investigative Team were not aware that they could report concerns about misconduct to SafeSport. The NWSL should establish rules prohibiting an individual from occupying more than one of the following positions at a club: principal owner, general manager, and head coach.
Finally, players and club staff recalled that Riley made caustic remarks to Thorns players, calling players idiots and motherfuckers, harshly criticizing their weight, and commenting about players' sexual orientations (including stating that a player loves a strapon"). However, she noted that she had asked a female staff member for help, and that when this staff member came over to help, Harrington "was also there." At the conclusion of its investigation, the Joint Investigative Team determined that Clarkson's actions constituted emotional misconduct.
NWSL joint investigation reveals details on Alyse LaHue's departure Craig Harrington blurred professional boundaries with players. One club staff member stated that Dames would give the team three days off, but would not inform them until the day before, leaving the team "stuck [and] not able to get out of Illinois. The staff member said, I don't know if that's him being controlling, but also noted that it felt like Dames didn't like people leaving market." In January 2017, NCWFC, LLC, owned by Steve Malik, bought the Flash and moved the team to North Carolina, renaming it the North Carolina Courage. Club anti-harassment policies generally provided reporting channels for employees who believe they were subjected to or witnessed discrimination or harassment; however, none of these policies listed the NWSL HR Office as a reporting channel. 124
On the Monday night before the game, four Dash players had dinner at a Pumas player's apartment and returned to their hotel around midnight. The NWSL completed an independent investigation, and it announced that based on witness interviews and a review of video footage, no disciplinary action would be taken against the club. According to Kurtz, Hammond told her that he had spoken with Riley and she would not be allowed to leave the club.
When Racing Louisville was considering hiring Holly, no one contacted Novo regarding Holly or the reason he departed Sky Blue. . The League received information about Riley's misconduct while at the Thorns, but the League allowed him to continue to coach, first at the Flash and then at the Courage. 114, staff and players to identify conditions and circumstances for socializing that prioritize player safety and respect for boundaries. 118
13, In November 2021, The Washington Post published an article reporting that Rory Dames, head coach of the Red Stars and the longest-tenured coach in the League, had been verbally and emotionally abusive towards players, and that U.S. Soccer had failed to adequately investigate and respond to reports of his misconduct. During this investigation, Racing Louisville initially refused to allow witnesses to discuss substantial aspects of Holly's employment and termination, citing the severance agreement's mutual non-disparagement and non-disclosure provisions. Amanda Cromwell (Orlando Pride, Head Coach, 2021-2022), Sam Greene and Aline Reis (Orlando Pride, Assistant Coaches, 2021-2022)
While coaches and staff may appropriately discuss professional players' fitness in the context of players' performance, coaches often made comments that did not address performance, but rather were focused on appearance or other arbitrary criteria. Despite this purpose, neither the summary nor the conclusion of the investigative report provided a determination as to whether Dames's conduct was acceptable. The player felt that the owner was suggesting that she was selfish for even raising the point. When Gothams statement leaned on the league, a further inquiry returned this statement: Following a complaint, the league conducted an investigation and shared the findings of that investigation with Gotham FC. The Joint Investigative Team engaged with 15 current and former League staff to invite them to be interviewed by the Joint Investigative Team or to collect documents. The Dash's policy was titled "Policy Against Unlawful Harassment." Individual bias can contribute to discrete acts of misconduct. Multiple players told the Joint Investigative Team that they felt disconnected from the NWSL or did not know who at the NWSL to contact if they experienced misconduct. Require Separate Individuals to Hold Key Club Leadership Roles
LaHue is supportive of the ongoing reforms that are taking place in the NWSL. As a result, the Joint Investigative Team was not able to fully question LaHue about her interactions with the player. Reports of Retaliation for Complaints of Misconduct
According to Malik, Paulson told him in 2019 that the Thorns did not terminate Riley, but that Riley's contract was not renewed. For much of the League's existence, there was confusion between U.S. Soccer, the League, and its clubs regarding their respective roles in responding to reports of misconduct against players. The investigation's limited, stepwise approach meant that some players on the Red Stars were not even aware that there was an ongoing investigation into Dames's conduct.
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