Developments continue to unfold following Monday’s public release of Sally Yates’ report into abuse in women’s soccer. Bookmark this page to keep up with all the major developments in real time. Below, you’ll find links and news updates to the story in reverse chronological order.
Tuesday, Oct. 4
9 p.m. ET: Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang, who took control of the team in early 2022 after a power struggle with Steve Baldwin — who allegedly fostered a toxic environment and lost the support of players — releases a statement about building a better league.
A message from Michele Kang pic.twitter.com/ceEar4HKbF
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) October 5, 2022
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) October 5, 2022
7 p.m. ET: Longtime Chicago Red Stars owner Arnim Whisler announces that he is removing himself from his governance role on the NWSL board and “will hand over operational control of the club to our executive team in Chicago.” Multiple players in Yates’ report said that Whisler knew of former Red Stars head coach Rory Dames’ abusive behavior, and the report details the several ways in which Whisler acted in defense of Dames against the direction of NWSL and/or U.S. Soccer counsel.
Current NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman immediately releases her own statement saying that Chicago and Portland took “important steps” today, and mentioning the goal of having the joint investigation released by the end of the year.
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman Issues Statement on Portland Thorns FC and Chicago Red Stars
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 4, 2022
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 4, 2022
7 p.m. ET: ESPN’s E:60 documentary detailing abuse in the league begins airing on ESPN and ESPN+. Much of the details within it are already known, but featured in the documentary are interviews with several people who previously had not spoken to media since their terminations from their respective jobs. Former NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird denies she ignored any complaints, while ex-Washington Spirit coach Richie Burke, who was banned from the league after an investigation into allegedly abusive behavior, used the term “cancel culture.”
In an interview w/@saltersl, as part of the E60 documentary "Truth Be Told: The Fight For Women's Professional Soccer", former #NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird says she stands by her decisions, and that she didn't ignore allegations of misconduct. https://t.co/fkHIoZm6G3
— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) October 4, 2022
— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) October 4, 2022
3:30 p.m. ET: United States and Portland captain Becky Sauerbrunn says that any owners or executives in the NWSL and U.S. Soccer who repeatedly failed to protect player safety “should be gone” from their positions and the sport. She did not mention Portland owner Merritt Paulson by name, but confirmed that she is talking about him and Portland executives among others. Alana Cook speaks alongside Sauerbrunn in a pre-scheduled press conference. U.S. head coach Vlatko Andonovski follows, saying he was “in disbelief. I have the emotion of sickness and [I’m disgusted].”
Andonovski also confirms that he was interviewed for the report about Christy Holly, but does not say that he ever recommended the club hire Holly.
Vlatko Andonovski is named in the Yates report at one point, for a conversation he had with Racing Louisville about hiring Christy Holly.
I asked Andonovski if he believes Louisville accurately represented his remarks to the club in being used as a reference for the hire: pic.twitter.com/y2FrbaF7qp
— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) October 4, 2022
I asked Andonovski if he believes Louisville accurately represented his remarks to the club in being used as a reference for the hire: pic.twitter.com/y2FrbaF7qp
— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) October 4, 2022
3 p.m. ET: Portland Thorns owner/operator Merritt Paulson says he is stepping away from all Thorns-related decision making. He says that Mike Golub and Gavin Wilkinson will do the same. He does not say whether he will sell the Thorns, or step away from NWSL board governance.
3:24 a.m. ET: Portland Supporters collectively call for Mike Golub and Gavin Wilkinson to be fired, and for Merritt Paulson to sell the team. The groups say they are “suspending relations” with the club despite the upcoming NWSL and MLS playoffs.
A Joint Statement on Behalf of the 107IST, Rose City Riveters, and Timbers Army About USSF’s Release Results of the Sally Yates’ Independent Investigation – https://t.co/uQu4DUG2E3#BAONPDX #RCTID pic.twitter.com/HTZGV7uMnp
— 107ist (@107ist) October 4, 2022
— 107ist (@107ist) October 4, 2022
Monday, Oct. 3
1 p.m. ET: Sally Yates’ report, one year in the making, is released. Included in it are several stories that were known previously through investigative reporting, along with many new revelations, from the knowledge that former NWSL commissioner Jeff Plush and former U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati had of what Paul Riley did in Portland, to the blame game multiple parties around the league played for Racing Louisville’s hiring of Christy Holly. The report features graphic descriptions of Holly’s sexual abuse of a former player.
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman immediately issues a statement, but teams league-wide remains silent.
National Women's Soccer League Releases Statement in Response to the Sally Q. Yates Report Commissioned by U.S. Soccer.
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 3, 2022
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 3, 2022
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