NWSL creates $5M fund for players after abuse scandal that led to lifetime ban of Stars coach
The National Women’s Soccer League will pay $5 million to players who were abused by coaches under a systemic pattern of misconduct, bringing some closure to a scandal that led to a lifetime ban against the ex-coach of the Chicago team formerly known as the Red Stars.
The league is establishing the restitution fund under a settlement announced Wednesday with the offices of Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Players from across the league came forward in 2021 with disturbing allegations of mistreatment that had gone largely ignored dating to the league’s inception in 2012.
Following a bombshell 2022 investigation by former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates, a probe by state authorities confirmed “a pervasive culture of abuse and neglect in the NWSL in which coaches verbally abused and sexually assaulted players, coerced them into inappropriate relationships and retaliated against those who resisted or spoke out.”
“Today is about much more than a monetary settlement,” Raoul said. “Today marks the first time these players receive a commitment that there are procedures in place to ensure this abuse does not happen again.”
New safeguards include comprehensive vetting of team personnel, stronger reporting mechanisms, access to counseling and a new league safety officer and policies that prevent teams from investigating themselves.
The rampant misconduct allegations led to the ouster of the league’s commissioner at the time, along with the head coaches of five teams including longtime Red Stars coach Rory Dames.
Players had complained about him since at least 2014 for engaging “in sexist and racist verbal harassment and extremely unprofessional relationships with players,” Raoul said.
“They indicated that he repeatedly made sexual remarks about players’ appearances and texted them after hours. They alleged that he referred to Black players as ‘thugs’ and told another Black player she was ‘acting like a gang member.’ They accused Dames of pressuring players to attend one-on-one meals with him, during which he would discuss their appearances and romantic relationships,” Raoul said.
Dames couldn’t be reached for comment. Nor could ex-Red Stars owner Arnim Whisler, who “dismissed the complaints as personal vendettas by players,” according to Raoul.
Dames was later banned from the league for life, and, at the urging of players, the team was sold in 2023 to the current ownership group led by Chicago Cubs co-owner Laura Ricketts.
Last fall, the team rebranded as Chicago Stars FC.
An NWSL spokesperson said the league “has implemented key recommendations to strengthen player protections and improve league policies and processes.”
"We remain grateful to the many brave individuals who came forward to share their experiences, which has informed our approach to systemic reform,” Commissioner Jessica Berman said in a statement. “The NWSL is proud of the work we have done, in partnership with the NWSL Players Association, to set the standard for professional sports leagues… We will continue to do the work necessary to maintain the trust of our players and build an ecosystem where the best in the world want to come.”
It wasn’t clear how many current and former players would be paid through the restitution fund, which is expected to open within the next two months. Players will have six months to apply.
The attorneys general will also continue to “oversee and enforce new league protocols and protections for players,” officials said.
NWSL Players Association President and former Washington Spirit captain Tori Huster said the settlement “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,” Huster said. “If the NWSL is safer today, it is because players fought to make it that way. But true accountability means ensuring this never happens again.”
Contributing: Annie Costabile