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Sally Yates discusses most ‘troubling’ findings of NWSL investigation

(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Following the release of Sally Yates’ lengthy report investigating misconduct within the National Women’s Soccer League, Yates and U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone addressed the findings in separate press conferences Monday.

Both agreed that while the report focused significant energy on three coaches — Christy Holly, Paul Riley and Rory Dames — the issues within the NWSL weren’t limited to those coaches or the organizations that employed them. Instead, Yates found the incidents of verbal abuse, emotional abuse and sexual misconduct to be systemic rather than isolated to specific teams.

“Our investigation over the past year has revealed a league in which abuse was systemic,” Yates said. “Verbal and emotional abuse and sexual misconduct occurred at multiple teams and was perpetuated by several coaches, and affected many players. We also found that these issues were not unique or new to the NWSL.”

Yates went on to say that misconduct among several coaches dates back to prior professional leagues and, in some cases, to the youth level.

She also emphasized the importance of listening to players and not writing anyone off as being “overly sensitive.”

“We are talking about sustained, degrading and manipulative conduct that was all about power, not about enhancing a player’s performance,” Yates said.

Holly, Riley and Dames were at the center of the investigation, but Yates said she was unable to look into every team and coach at that same level because “we were mindful of the fact that this investigation could not go on forever.”

“It’s been almost a year to the day since we were retained, and in order for there to be both transparency and accountability, and to be able to put in place the changes that need to happen, this investigation needed to end,” she said.

More investigations will follow, including those conducted by the NWSL and the NWSL Players Association, Cone said. She also said U.S. Soccer plans to follow up with Yates to obtain more information about other coaches and organizations that need to be looked at further.

According to Cone, she and U.S. Soccer received the report at the same time as it was released to the public, so they have yet to address many of the concerns brought up by Yates.

Cone, however, did reference the initial report by Meg Linehan of The Athletic, which detailed allegations of sexual coercion and emotional abuse against Riley and, she says, set Yates’ investigation into motion.

“There are steps we haven’t taken yet in the recommendations because we can’t do it unilaterally. We need a broader input,” Cone said about implementing changes based on the new findings. “And also, we don’t want to say we are ‘going to do this or that,’ without having an implementation plan.”

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Former Racing Louisville coach Christy Holly was fired for cause in August 2021. (Joe Robbins/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Cone did say that Holly, Riley and Dames no longer hold coaching licenses with U.S. Soccer.

That change is long overdue, according to Yates. During her 30-minute press conference with members of the media, Yates discussed the issue of the NWSL simply shuffling coaches around the league when players reported misconduct, rather than actually addressing the concerns.

Often, she said, these coaches were allowed to silently move from team to team, taking their abusive practices with them.

“The reasons for their departures were covered up in misleading press releases that often thanked the departing coach for his service,” Yates said. “All while those in a position to do something about it both at the league and federation, stood by and did nothing.”

Racing Lousivlle did not address the reason for its firing of Holly last year, stating on Aug. 31 that he was “fired for cause.”

When questioned, Racing Louisville’s Executive Vice President of Development James O’Connor — who is now the organization’s president — addressed whether Holly’s termination was linked to any legal wrongdoings.

“I don’t know whether I’d say illegal,” he told reporters at the time. “I don’t know. That’s a sensitive viewpoint … I plead the fifth. I’ll take the attorney line on that.”

U.S. Soccer’s report Monday revealed that Holly was accused of groping and sexually assaulting Racing Louisville player Erin Simon on multiple occasions.

When Dames resigned as coach of the Chicago Red Stars last November, the club issued a press release that reflected the cover-up concerns Yates addressed.

The release, which detailed Chicago’s acceptance of his resignation, included a quote from Dames.

“For 11 years, I have dedicated myself to help build the Chicago Red Stars into one of the top international clubs,” he said. “Effective today, I’m refocusing my attention to my family and future endeavors, and I am resigning as coach of the Chicago Red Stars. I’d like to thank the Chicago Red Stars organization, the fans and the players who I have had the opportunity to work with in their professional soccer careers. I look forward to watching the Chicago Red Stars and the NWSL continue to grow and evolve while supporting their players.”

The Red Stars organization praised Dames in the release, applauding the consistent play of the club during his tenure.

“Under Rory’s leadership we have been a remarkably consistent and excellent club on the field,” the release said. “We continually evaluate our team and front office environment, and given the dynamic change underway in the league, it is time to begin the next chapter of the Red Stars with a search for new leadership of the team.”

That press release went out less than a day before more details about his departure from the organization came to light, in a Washington Post article written by Molly Hensley-Clancy.

In addition, Yates discussed her concerns that the Portland Thorns, Chicago Red Stars and Racing Louisville all hindered the investigation with various levels of non-compliance, despite outwardly expressing to the public that they were cooperating fully with the investigation.

“We found the pushback that we did receive from some of the teams to be troubling and inconsistent with public statements of their desire to get to the bottom of this,” Yates said. “But we were also respectful of the joint investigation being conducted by the NWSL and the PA, and the fact that they’re going to be looking at this and the fact that the NWSL has the authority to be able to address coaches and coaching misconduct and discipline.”

Cone said that she didn’t think it was “constructive” to talk about individual owners or executives at this point, referring to a question asked about the teams that did not participate fully in the investigation.

“I think the report shows that we have systemic issues beyond one individual,” she said. “Do I wish that everyone had cooperated in the investigation? Of course.”

She also added that further decisions regarding those organizations aren’t entirely up to U.S. Soccer.

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USWNT Star Catarina Macario Scores with $10 Million Nike Deal

USWNT star Catarina Macario poses on a poster for Nike's horror short film series.
Nike's new "Scary Good" short film campaign features USWNT star Catarina Macario. (Nike Football)

USWNT and Chelsea FC star Catarina Macario inked a 10-year, $10 million contract with Nike on Tuesday, securing one of the most lucrative sponsorship deals in the women's game.

Macario started her pro career as an Adidas athlete, but swapped brands after battling back from a long-term knee injury to win a domestic treble with WSL side Chelsea this year.

The Brazilian-born US national is also starring in Nike's "Scary Good" ad campaign, a series of short films that "pay homage to the horror and satire of late-night television with a cast of the game's most dominant attackers."

Other soccer stars joining Macario in the sportswear giant's short film series are Spain's two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas and winger Salma Paralluelo, Brazil's Kerolin, and Germany's Giulia Gwinn, as well as Macario's Chelsea teammate, Australian national Sam Kerr.

"Nike has always been a part of my journey — from Surf to Stanford, to the USWNT and now Chelsea FC," Macario said in Tuesday's press release.

"Now, to be officially with the brand feels incredible. Not only because I get to join a team of football legends that have influenced my style of play since the beginning, but because I believe Nike represents the fearless spirit I try to bring with me every time I step on the pitch."

Women's soccer is blowing up on the sponsorship front, with payouts jumping from Norwegian superstar Ada Hegerberg's $1.1 Nike deal in 2020 to this week's blockbuster Macario signing.

How to watch Macario in her "Scary Good" Nike film

Catarina Macario's "Scary Good" film — dubbed "The Cold-Blooded Clinic" — will drop on July 16th on Nike Football's YouTube channel.

Waived WNBA Vet DeWanna Bonner Rejoins Phoenix Mercury After Fever Exit

Indiana Fever forward DeWanna Bonner lines up a free throw during a 2025 WNBA game.
Offseason Indiana Fever pick-up DeWanna Bonner has rejoined the Phoenix Mercury — the team that originally drafted her in 2009. (Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images)

Two-time WNBA champion DeWanna Bonner is coming home, rejoining the Phoenix Mercury after parting ways with the Indiana Fever late last month.

Bonner is back with the team that originally drafted her as the fifth overall pick in 2009, inking a slightly above-minimum prorated veteran contract for the remainder of the 2025 season.

"It's home. I know I'm going to get the love and the support," Bonner said, reuniting with fiancée Alyssa Thomas on the second-place WNBA squad.

After spending her first 10 seasons with the Mercury, Phoenix traded Bonner to the Sun in February 2020.

The six-time All-Star forward spent five seasons alongside Thomas in Connecticut, helping the Sun to at least the WNBA semifinals in each of those years.

The Fever then signed Bonner as a free agent ahead of the 2025 season, with the 37-year-old later departing the team for personal reasons after just nine games with Indiana.

Bonner missed five games before the the Fever officially waived her on June 25th, as the renewed free agent reportedly eyed a move back to Phoenix.

"We couldn't be more excited to have DeWanna back in a Mercury uniform," Phoenix GM Nick U'Ren said in a statement. "She is a true winner, leader and one of the most talented and versatile players in our game."

WNBA Star Caitlin Clark Returns from Injury in Indiana Loss to Golden State

Injured Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark looks on from the bench at the 2025 WNBA Commissioner's Cup championship game.
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark is available for Wednesday's WNBA game against the Golden State Valkyries. (Matt Krohn/Getty Images)

Indiana star Caitlin Clark is officially back in action, making her return to the court in Wednesday's Fever clash with Golden State to mark her first WNBA minutes since June 24th.

While the No. 6 Valkyries took the 80-61 win on Wednesday, Clark was able to log 25 minutes as well as put up 10 points, six assists, and five rebounds in her return from injury.

Prior to this season, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year had not missed a game since her sophomore year of high school in 2017.

Wednesday's return capped a five-game stretch with Clark out with a groin strain — the most recent knock to the WNBA sophomore after a quad strain sidelined her for two weeks earlier this season.

"It's obviously hard sitting out and watching for a few weeks, so I'm excited to get out there," the guard told reporters on Tuesday.

While Indiana's loss did not impact their No. 7 spot on the league table, Wednesday's other major matchups could have deeper implications for the WNBA standings:

  • No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 2 Phoenix Mercury, 3:30 PM ET (WNBA League Pass): The WNBA's top two teams will square off Wednesday afternoon, as a steady Lynx team meets a rejuvenated Mercury hot off a revenge win over Dallas on Monday.
  • No. 11 Dallas Wings vs. No. 12 Chicago Sky, 8 PM ET (WNBA League Pass): Young phenoms duke it out as the Sky honor 2021 WNBA champ and new retiree Allie Quigley — and hope to avenge Tuesday’s close loss to Washington by downing the Wings.

2025 WNBA All-Star Captains Napheesa Collier, Caitlin Clark Draft Rosters

Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier celebrates a 2025 WNBA win.
2025 captain Napheesa Collier drafted her WNBA All-Star team on Tuesday. (Matt Krohn/Getty Images)

The 2025 WNBA All-Star teams are set, as captains Napheesa Collier and Caitlin Clark drafted the 20 other honored players into their final rosters live on ESPN on Tuesday night.

The draft began with the two captains selecting from the eight-player pool of fan-voted starters, before Clark and Collier each chose six athletes from the group of 12 All-Star reserves.

Both the Minnesota forward and the Indiana guard prioritized selecting their WNBA teammates, with Collier successfully grabbing Lynx guard Courtney Williams as one of her reserves while Clark's first picks in each category were fellow Fever players in starter Aliyah Boston and reserve player Kelsey Mitchell.

Collier also decided to keep her fellow UConn Huskies close, tapping alums Breanna Stewart and Paige Bueckers for her starting lineup — though she failed to pull off a trade for third alum Gabby Williams.

"I tried 😭 they didn't show that part lol," the Lynx star posted to X after the draft, referencing her attempt to roster Williams.

While Collier's strategy was to snag current and former teammates, as well as players with whom she has Unrivaled or collegiate ties, Clark approached the draft with less of a plan.

"I'm going on vibes. I'm picking whatever comes to mind. We're just having fun," joked Clark, promising "my team is going to be fun."

All-Star draft's lone trade sees head coach swap

Despite a handful of trade offers, the only swap of the Tuesday draft didn't end up involving players at all, as the All-Star leaders agreed to switch head coaches.

Coaching assignments follow fan votes and team records, with the top All-Star vote-getter paired with the coach of the league's No. 1 team, while the No. 2 team coach leads the squad captained by the player who garnered the second-most votes.

As such, Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve was initially assigned to Team Clark, with Collier's squad led by New York boss Sandy Brondello.

Following both Collier's strategy of prior connections and, perhaps, Clark's emphasis on vibes, the pair agreed to switch sideline leaders, keeping the Lynx lineup together and sending the reigning WNBA champion to helm Clark's crew.

The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game rosters

Team Clark:

  • Starters: Aliyah Boston (Indiana), Sabrina Ionescu (New York), A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas), Satou Sabally (Phoenix)
  • Reserves: Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana), Gabby Williams (Seattle), Sonia Citron (Washington), Kiki Iriafen (Washington), Jackie Young (Las Vegas), Kayla Thornton (Golden State)
  • Head coach: Sandy Brondello (New York)

Team Collier:

  • Starters: Breanna Stewart (New York), Allisha Gray (Atlanta), Nneka Ogwumike (Seattle), Paige Bueckers (Dallas)
  • Reserves: Courtney Williams (Minnesota), Skylar Diggins (Seattle), Angel Reese (Chicago), Alyssa Thomas (Phoenix), Kelsey Plum (LA), Rhyne Howard (Atlanta)
  • Head coach: Cheryl Reeve (Minnesota)

How to watch the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game

Team Collier and Team Clark will square off in the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis at 8:30 PM ET on July 19th.

Live coverage of the game will air on ABC.

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