San Diego Wave president Jill Ellis called allegations of an abusive work environment made by a former employee of the National Women’s Soccer League team „false“ and „personally damaging.“
Ellis released a statement to The Associated Press on Thursday in response to a social media post by Brittany Alvarado, a former video and creative manager for the team. Alvarado called on the NWSL to remove Ellis, the former U.S. women’s national team coach.
Ellis said mental health concerns are a priority for the club and noted that it has support measures, including an employee assistance program. She added that when allegations of mistreatment have occurred, the team has investigated.
„At no time have those evaluations uncovered any wrongdoing by the club,“ Ellis said. Ellis, who coached the U.S. team to World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, added that the Wave are committed to building a strong and unified club.
Wave forward Alex Morgan also issued a statement expressing her disappointment by the allegations. She emphasized the importance of creating an inclusive, positive, and safe environment for both players and staff throughout the entire organization.
An NWSL spokesperson stated that the safety, health, and well-being of everyone associated with the league are a top priority. The league takes reports of potential misconduct seriously, hires independent investigators to review allegations, and mandates corrective action when reports are corroborated.
Overall, the article discusses the allegations made against the San Diego Wave president and the response to those allegations, emphasizing the importance of mental health in the workplace and creating a culture of respect and inclusivity.
