PORTLAND, Oregon – A three-woman executive committee will oversee the league operations because of the resignation of the NWSL commissioner due to a sexual harassment and misconduct scandal with an NWSL coach.
Absent the previous commissioner, the league’s board of directors appointed Amanda Duffy, Angie Long, and Sophie Sauvage to serve as the executive committee while the league appoints a new commissioner.
The issue took the league and its fans by surprise after two former players raised harassment and sexual coercion issues. The players made their claim against North Carolina Courage coach Raul Riley.
The committee recently launched an investigation last Sunday into the way the league handles abuse scandals.
The NWSL immediately terminated Raul Riley’s employment from the Courage. The league launched investigations to determine why the league allowed him to continue coaching despite different players already raising concerns against him. Because of these subsequent events, the NWSL decided to call off its games this weekend.
The NWSL also elected US Attorney and Deputy General Sally Yates to investigate into the abusive behavior and sexual misconduct in the league.
The three-woman executive committee expressed their heartbreak for what the NWSL players went through. The committee expressed its deepest apologies and resolved to enforce a different system and culture within the league.
The NWSL will also conduct an independent review of the practices and policies in the teams. This system hopes to remove any harassment and workplace issues in the future.
