Thorns fire execs, Louisville apologizes following report
2 years, 2 months ago

Thorns fire execs, Louisville apologizes following report

Associated Press  

The Portland Thorns have dismissed a pair of team executives in the wake of an investigation into misconduct in the National Women’s Soccer League. Former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Q. Yates and the law firm of King & Spaulding released results of their investigation Monday that detailed “systemic” abuse and misconduct in women’s soccer. Among them was former Thorns and North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley, who was accused by former players Mana Shim and Sinead Farrelly of sexual coercion and harassment dating back a decade. Yates wrote that Thorns management “interfered with our access to relevant witnesses and raised specious legal arguments in an attempt to impede our use of relevant documents.” The investigation also found inappropriate workplace comments made by team executives.

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History of this topic

Rhian Wilkinson resigns from Portland Thorns amidst concerns over player relationship cleared by investigation
2 years ago

Rhian Wilkinson resigns from Portland Thorns amidst concerns over player relationship cleared by investigation

New York Times  

Editor’s Note: This story is included in The Athletic’s Best of 2022. “The Portland Thorns and Coach Wilkinson followed all league processes and policies and fully cooperated with this investigation,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. The players wrote that they had met with Portland’s interim CEO, Heather Davis, concerning Wilkinson and Menges, but were left “feeling unsettled and unsafe” after …

Thorns to be sold amid fallout from women’s soccer scandals
2 years ago

Thorns to be sold amid fallout from women’s soccer scandals

Associated Press  

The owner of the Portland Thorns announced Thursday he is putting the club up for sale, the latest fallout from an investigation into misconduct in the National Women’s Soccer League. During the Thorns’ NWSL victory in the final at Audi Field, some fans held a sign that read: “Support The Players.” Those fans are getting their wish, although Paulson said …

Paulson steps away as CEO of Timbers, Thorns amid scandal
2 years, 2 months ago

Paulson steps away as CEO of Timbers, Thorns amid scandal

Associated Press  

PORTLAND, Ore. — Merritt Paulson removed himself Tuesday as the chief operating officer of the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer and the Portland Thorns of the National Women’s Soccer League. “Effective immediately, I am removing myself as CEO of the Portland Thorns and Portland Timbers, and announcing a global search for a CEO of the organization.” Former acting U.S. …

Team: Thorns owner disclosed coach was fired for cause
2 years, 3 months ago

Team: Thorns owner disclosed coach was fired for cause

Associated Press  

PORTLAND, Ore. — When Portland Thorns owner Merritt Paulson was contacted in 2019 about former coach Paul Riley’s interest in becoming coach of the U.S. women’s national team, he disclosed Riley had been fired by the team for cause but Paulson didn’t try to shape a decision, the team said. The team’s statement came in response to a report by …

'Systemic failure': Thorns owner apologises as allegations rock NWSL
3 years, 2 months ago

'Systemic failure': Thorns owner apologises as allegations rock NWSL

The Hindu  

National Women's Soccer League side Portland Thorns said on Monday it regrets its role in "a systemic failure across women's professional soccer" after sexual harassment allegations against one of its former coaches and promised change. The Athletic on Thursday outlined allegations of sexual coercion and misconduct by former head coach Paul Riley, who led the North Carolina Courage to back-to-back …

NWSL team owner apologises, regrets 'systemic failure' in handling abuse
3 years, 2 months ago

NWSL team owner apologises, regrets 'systemic failure' in handling abuse

Firstpost  

Paulson said the Thorns conducted an internal investigation into Riley after then-players Sinead Farrelly and Mana Shim made the alleged accusations. Los Angeles: Portland Thorns owner Merritt Paulson issued an apology on Monday to two ex-players for his team’s role in the handling of sexual coercion allegations against former coach Paul Riley. Paulson said the team should have been more …

NC Courage coach Riley fired after misconduct allegations
3 years, 2 months ago

NC Courage coach Riley fired after misconduct allegations

Associated Press  

The North Carolina Courage fired coach Paul Riley on Thursday after allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct were detailed in a published report. National Women’s Soccer League Commissioner Lisa Baird said in a statement that the league is referring the allegations to the U.S. Center for SafeSport for investigation. “The North Carolina Football Club is united together in our commitment …

‘This guy has a pattern’: Amid institutional failure, former NWSL players accuse prominent coach of sexual coercion
3 years, 2 months ago

‘This guy has a pattern’: Amid institutional failure, former NWSL players accuse prominent coach of sexual coercion

New York Times  

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that the North Carolina Courage fired Paul Riley on Thursday. You’re trying to survive in his hierarchy.” Riley responded to a list of 23 questions about his alleged conduct with an email in which he stated that the majority of the allegations are “completely untrue.” He wrote: “I have never had …

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