Things appear to be mounting here after Brittany Alvarado (former Wave employee) made accusations of a toxic work environment at the NWSL's San Diego Wave under current club president Jill Ellis.
The Wave have responded with a statement denying Alvarado's allegations, but further employees have come forward with accusations and several high-profile former/current Wave players have come out with statements.
In order to compile the events in one place and prevent a flood of separate posts, this thread will be the home for further updates/statements. This thread is marked as serious, please treat it as such!
Edit: Adding text versions of each tweet below for those who don't use X/Twitter
Initial accusations made by former video and creative manager Brittany Alvarado
For those who have endured abuse. For those who are afraid to speak up. I see you and I will fight for you. This is for you. The time for accountability in the NWSL is now.
Since 2014, I have dedicated my career to building the National Women's Soccer League, while becoming increasingly aware of the challenges and mistreatment faced by the women who give their all to this sport. Driven by a steadfast commitment to positive change, I made it my mission to harness my creative abilities to amplify the voices of these incredible athletes, aiming to foster growth through genuine human connection.
Last year, I moved from Charlotte to San Diego, CA to join San Diego Wave Fútbol Club, with big dreams and high expectations. It was an honor to work with the players on the team and coaching staff, particularly former Head Coach Casey Stoney. Casey was an influential leader who always looked out for others, commanding the locker room and inspiring me as an LGBTQ+ member. The team embraced me wholeheartedly, forging a deep bond of trust as we navigated the triumphs and challenges of the 2023 season together.
San Diego Wave was ostensibly founded on principles of equity, championing women and minorities in leadership, and prioritizing mental health and well-being. Yet, the reality for myself and many others working for this club starkly contradicts these claims. Despite its public proclamations, the organization often perpetuated discrimination against women and demonstrated a complete disregard for their long-term mental health.
Since the team's inception, over 30 employees have been fired or quit, with nearly 75% of them being women, underscoring the deep issues within the club. Sadly, many of these employees are hesitant to speak publicly about their experiences, reflecting the widespread fear surrounding these issues.
Regardless of repeatedly highlighting these pervasive issues to the NWSL, the league has consistently failed to take meaningful action and has instead turned a blind eye to a pattern of profoundly damaging behaviors. Their investigations into these matters were notably negligent, further exacerbating the disregard for the well-being of those affected.
On behalf of myself and my former colleagues, the treatment we endured under club President Jill Ellis has been nothing short of life-altering and devastating to our mental health. She has compromised countless lives to advance her narcissistic personal agenda, fostering an environment where abusive behaviors among her subordinates are allowed to flourish.
The NWSL must take immediate action to remove Jill Ellis from both the San Diego Wave and the league entirely to finally protect the staff and players they have neglected and ignored for far too long.
Moreover, the league has failed to fully address and implement recommendations from the Sally Yates Report and the NWLSPA Joint Investigation from 2022. Every day of inaction further validates the dangerous illusion that the NWSL has properly addressed the pervasive issue of abusive leadership. Jill Ellis has no place in this game, and she has been excused for far too long.
Despite my unwavering dedication to my job and the sport of women's soccer, I found myself trapped in an environment where my mental health was relentlessly compromised. It became agonizingly clear that to protect my well-being, I had no choice but to walk away from my dream job with Wave FC. Resigning wasn't merely a professional decision; it was a gut-wrenching personal sacrifice, to prioritize my mental health over the career path I had poured my heart and soul into. Now, from the outside, I am resolute in my mission to spearhead a movement ensuring that mental health is unequivocally prioritized in the NWSL and beyond.
Silence is complicity, and I am speaking out to ensure that current and future staff members and players at San Diego Wave do not have to be burdened by the same experiences that are adversely impacting myself and many other former employees' lives today.
It is time for accountability and decisive action to safeguard the well-being of everyone involved in this sport.
Follow-up from Alvarado with an alleged email from a senior leadership employee at the club
Alleged text of email from senior leadership member 10 days after Alvarado's resignation:
Pathetic. You are the most pathetic person I've ever met. You must have no sense of work ethics or integrity. We are ecstatic you are no longer with the club.
San Diego Wave official denial of Alvarado's allegations
San Diego Wave FC has been made aware of a recent social media post by a former employee that contains inaccurate and defamatory statements about the club. Not only does the post contain a fabricated email, but the claims made therein are categorically false, including the ones directed at our president, Jill Ellis. San Diego Wave FC currently is reviewing this situation and it intends to pursue all legal avenues available to appropriately address this matter.
Former senior comms manager Bernadette O'Donnell adds her own allegations
This is all I can say, but please know that NWSL employees deserve protection and safety, and we deserve to be believed.
Like other former staff, I moved across the country for this "dream job". By the end, I had no hope for my life and didn't want to be alive anymore most of the time. All of this was communicated to my boss (multiple times) and to HR. After opening up to my boss about my mental health as well as the unhealthy work environment, plus alerting her to an ongoing investigation at the time, I was put on forced leave the next day to "address my personal issues & work performance." I was terminated from my job three days later. The job I uprooted my life and moved across the country for. The job I am in large debt because of. The job that I gave my all to.
Former club photographer Jenny Chuang adds further allegations
I was placed on suicide watch during my tenure with the Wave in 2022. I begged for help while my mental health declined rapidly, but was pressured to resign instead. After a failed attempt, I left to save myself. It breaks my heart that nothing has changed in the past 2 years.
Sydney Leroux makes a statement in support of Alvarado
It’s the courage of one person to start telling their story in hopes that more people will feel comfortable enough to one day tell theirs. We are with you Brittany Alvarado
Second part of Leroux's statement
You feel crazy because you don’t feel believed and you question yourself because you’re going against what we’ve always known and that is to stay quiet. Except when one person speaks their truth you realize that it’s yours too.
Alex Morgan makes a statement supporting those making allegations
I am disappointed to hear about the allegations made by multiple former Wave FC employees today.
As players, we have worked hard to build a team that is surrounded by an inclusive, positive and safe environment.
But it’s important to me that we are creating that environment for both players AND staff throughout the entire organization. Equity in the workplace is something I have and will continue to advocate for.
I want to be proud of what we are building at the Wave but it is clear that there is so much work to be done.
Article from The Athletic on today's allegations
Includes former comments from Leroux on Ellis in 2020:
In 2020, Leroux told The Crack Podcast, hosted by DaMarcus Beasley and Oguchi Onyewu: “I liked her as a person, not (as a coach). …we won in spite of (Ellis). She’s not good for people’s mental health, that’s for sure. The best thing was for her to go.”
Includes NWSL statement in response:
An NWSL spokesperson said: “The safety, health, and well-being of everyone associated with our league is our highest priority. We take serious any and every report of potential misconduct, hire qualified independent investigators to review those allegations thoroughly, and act when allegations are supported by the facts uncovered. We have mandated corrective action in every instance where reports have been corroborated, up to and including the removal of individuals who do not live up to our values and standards.
“We encourage anyone with information of potential wrongdoing to report that misconduct to the League Safety Officer. Alternatively, individuals may report anonymously via Real Response, by texting 872-259-6975.”
ESPN has also picked up the story and ran an article
Statement from a founder of the Wave SG the Sirens in response to the Wave's denials
I'm sorry but I just don't believe you. When we founded the SG and called out Jill Ellis, we were told by the front office to not do it again. If that's how you treat your supporters, I doubt you're doing any better with your staff. Jill Ellis out now.
Former community relations coordinator Abigail Lozano also speaks out
Thank you for sharing Britt!
As former Community Relations Coordinator for the Wave, I can attest to these allegations. After experiencing the toxic work environment enabled by leadership, my mental health quickly deteriorated. This resulted in my resignation, to protect myself.
