Ex-USWNT coach Jill Ellis accused of fostering 'abusive environment' with NWSL's San Diego Wave in shock claims by resigning team staffer as club hits back at 'inaccurate and defamatory statements'
- Jill Ellis is accused of fostering a toxic work environment by a former employee
- The Wave deny the accusations and say they're considering taking legal action
- READ MORE: USMNT legend DEFENDS controversial Christian soccer star
Jill Ellis, the former US women's national team coach and current president of the San Diego Wave FC, is accused of 'fostering an environment where abusive behaviors among her subordinates are allowed to flourish,' according to a former videographer for the NWSL team.
Brittany Alvarado announced her resignation on social media Wednesday, while urging NWSL officials to 'remove Jill Ellis from both the San Diego Wave and the league entirely.'
'She has compromised countless lives to advance her narcissistic personal agenda,' read the post on X.
Spokespeople for the Wave have rejected the unspecified allegations and did not rule out taking legal action against Alvarado.
'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,' read a statement provided to DailyMail.com. 'San Diego Wave FC is currently reviewing this situation and intends to pursue all legal avenues available to appropriately address this matter.'
Jill Ellis won two World Cups with the US National Team before moving to the NWSL's Wave
Brittany Alvarado (pictured) made her announcement on social media Wednesday
A league spokesman also provided a statement to DailyMail.com.
'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.'
Alvarado did not make any specific allegations against Ellis, but argues that under her leadership, the club 'often perpetuated discrimination against women and demonstrated a complete disregard for their long-term mental health.'
'Jill Ellis has no place in this game, and she has been excused for far too long,' Alvarado wrote about the English-born executive, who won two World Cups with Team USA during her celebrated career on the sidelines.
Alvarado isn't blaming Ellis for all she says she endured, but does believe that Ellis has been the driving force behind the team's rampant turnover since inaugural 2021 season.
'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,' Alvarado claimed in her post on X. 'Sadly, many of these employees are hesitant to speak publicly about their experiences, reflecting the widespread fear surrounding these issues.'
Alvarado did share one purported example, albeit not one that directly involved Ellis.
Instead Alvarado shared a terse email, which she claims was sent to her by a member of the team's senior leadership in the wake of her recent resignation.
'You are the most pathetic person I've ever met,' read the email marked 6-17. 'You must have no sense of work ethics (sic) or integrity. We are estatic (sic) you are no longer with the club.'
The team insists this email was fabricated.
'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,' read the statement from a club spokeswoman.
Alvarado believes Ellis has been the driving force behind the team's rampant turnover
Sinead Farrelly (left) and Meleana Shim (right) accused Riley of sexual coercion
Coach Paul Riley of the North Carolina Courage is seen in 2019 before his lifetime ban
This would not be the first HR problem for the embattled NWSL, which is still recovering from the sexual-harassment scandal of 2021, when North Carolina Courage head coach Paul Riley was accused of sexually coercing and verbally abusing players on his teams.
Although Riley denied the accusations, the 60-year-old has been permanently banned from the NWSL.
'Abuse in the NWSL is rooted in a deeper culture in women's soccer, beginning in youth leagues, that normalizes verbally abusive coaching and blurs boundaries between coaches and players,' Yates wrote about the league in her report.
But according to Alvarado, many of the recommendations made by Yates and her team have yet to be embraced by the NWSL.
'Moreover, the league has failed to fully address and implement recommendations from the Sally Yates Report and the NWSPA Joint Investigation from 2022,' Alvarado continued. 'Every day of inaction further validates the dangerous illusion that the NWSL has property addressed the pervasive issue of abusive leadership.'
