NWSL embarks on 10th season, ready to move on from scandals
The National Women’s Soccer League embarks this weekend on its milestone 10th season with two new teams, a new commissioner and the determination to move on and grow after a series of scandals.
Angel City FC, with its star-studded ownership group, and the San Diego Wave, with former U.S. national team coach Jill Ellis serving as the team’s first president, join the league this season and bring it to 12 teams.
Jessica Berman, a former executive for the NHL and the National Lacrosse League, was named commissioner of the league in March.
Berman believes the league is healthy as it moves into the next decade — and one of the indicators is the expansion.
“But there’s also the number of inbounds that I’ve received personally since the announcement on March 9, from prospective investors who want an expansion team, from brands who want to partner and invest in the NWSL in the sponsorship space, to thirdparty media support wanting
to help to amplify the messages of growth for the league,” Berman said. “There’s just an immense amount of what feels to me like pent-up demand for this league to be able to prove its value moving forward and it has me very enthusiastic about the future.”
Lisa Baird stepped down as commissioner last October after allegations of sexual harassment and coercion
were brought against one of the league’s most prominent coaches, North Carolina’s Paul Riley.
Riley resigned and has denied the allegations. He was among five league coaches who either were dismissed or stepped down amid claims of misconduct. They included Louisville’s Christy Holly, the Reign’s Farid Benstiti, Chicago’s Rory Dames and the Washington Spirit’s Richie Burke.