The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has been hot, hot, hot the past few years. From expansion teams that are huge successes, like Angel City and San Diego Wave, to the first women’s soccer stadium being built in Kansas City. The growth for the league has been huge, with big names finding a home in the league and making even bigger names for themselves.

But it has also been a turbulent time filled with challenges, scandals, and an accountability problem. You have the Yates Report, which detailed systemic abuse in several teams across the league. This included names such as Rory Dames, Jill Elis, and Arnim Whisler. The league faced more scandal when six former employees sued the San Diego Wave and the NWSL for multiple allegations of abuse, misconduct, and discrimination. 

There have also been several players our on mental health leave of absences and even one, Carly Nelson, who left the sport due to their mental health suffering. 

Finally, the league can’t keep themselves out of trouble when they mishandled the medical treatment of Savy King. King, a player for Angel City collapsed on the pitch during a game. Spectators, players, and staff watched as she received life saving medical treatment for ten minutes on the pitch before being carted off and going to a hospital. Play resumed on the pitch, leading to LA winning. King would have heart surgery following a medical discovery. 

Fans flooded social media with scathing criticism of the NWSL protocol, which they said was followed precisely and accurately. Details around what exactly happened in the league office have been diminished, particularly by the commissioner herself. The manual for the league states that “Commissioner Jessica Berman has the final say over all league representatives, teams and any other stakeholders concerning delays or postponement of matches.” 

The league policy for game delays, postponement, and cancellation also detail out specifics for these events. 

“PROTOCOL TO DELAY, POSTPONE OR CANCEL A GAME:

NWSL recognizes that emergencies may arise which make the start or progression of a Game inadvisable or dangerous for participants and spectators. Certain event categories automatically trigger the League Office into an evaluation of whether delay or postponement is necessary, including, but not limited to: 1) the failure of one or both Teams to arrive, (2) a lack of preparedness of one or both Teams to begin or continue playing a Game, (3) serious incident, injury or fatality to a Player, Coach, Official, Team representative or spectator or other medical concern, or (4) unfavorable weather and/or other adverse conditions beyond the control of the participating Teams which would make playing the Game impractical or dangerous for the Players, other participants, or spectators.”

This protocol is available to the public and was highly criticized due to the incident with King. Was receiving CPR and the use of AED machines not considered a serious incident or injury as outlined in the protocol step 3? What would ultimately qualify if life saving care on the pitch did not?

At the following match for Angel City, the commissioner Jessica Berman was present. While Angel City players wore shirts to honor King, Berman was at the Bay FC vs ACFC match to promote the new league partnership with Unwell. Unwell is a drink made by Alex Cooper, of ‘Call Me Daddy’ podcast fame, and they would be having activations of Unwell FC, a supporter group for the league. This partnership and activation was heavily criticised, including but not limited to the disregard for team supporter groups and the podcast backing from Barstool Sports. 

“Respectfully, you are the commissioner of the league.”

Berman took questions from the media at halftime, sporting Unwell FC merch. Tamerra Griffin, of The Athletic, asked the commissioner about the incident with King. 

Griffin asked, “On the topic of medical procedures, following the ambulance’s transportation of Savy King to the hospital, was a replacement ambulance called to the stadium before the game restarted?”

Berman takes a deep pause before answering, “I would have to double check on that. Because I wouldn’t want to answer that specific question without confirming.”

Griffin asked a follow up question. “Certainly appreciating the difference in time zones between when kick off was and where most of the world lives, I am curious if you were awake for that game and whether or not…if you were not awake, were you called that night to be informed of what had happened?”

Berman shifts in her seat, “I think, um, as we review the situation…I don’t think it is constructive to recount who did what and when. Um.”

Griffin does not accept this answer and hits Berman with the reality of her position. “Respectfully, you are the commissioner of the league.”

Berman nods, “Yes. And our focus really has been on ensuring that all of our medical procedures were followed and that, on a go forward basis, the game would not continue and it won’t in the future.”

This response left fans even more frustrated, flooding social media with concerns about the commissioners preparedness for the media availability considering the questions seemed highly predictable. This press conference, amidst other issues arising in the NWSL over the past few seasons, has brought up a major issue with the league in terms of accountability and honesty.

Between the San Diego Wave ex-employees suing the league and the Wave, an on-going investigation against Bay FC head coach Albertin Montoya who is still coaching during the investigation, mental health breaks, and the recent medical episode it is hard to believe the league when they state “Player safety is paramount to the NWSL” in post on their social media. Berman was even incapable of providing a substantial update on the Bay FC investigation, stating “The investigation is underway and we are actively working on it. When we have more news to share, we’ll communicate it”. 

The contrast between dodging questions about serious concerns from media, with genuine questions about the details behind the decision to force Angel City and Utah Royal players to continue on in a game after a life threatening medical episode, while wearing Unwell F.C. merch to promote the newest brand deal for the league is stark. Jessica Berman made it clear, despite saying little, that her priority is the brand deal over the concerns of others regarding league conduct. 

Is the league truly focused on the well being of their staff and players, like they claim? Or are they concerned with money, deals, and seeing the red line go up at any cost?