The Washington Spirit have named Ben Olsen as club president.
NEWS | Washington Spirit Name Ben Olsen as Club President— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) September 2, 2021
NEWS | Washington Spirit Name Ben Olsen as Club President
Olsen joins the Spirit after playing 13 years for D.C. United, later serving as head coach from 2010 to 2020. He has served as an executive advisor to the club for the past 18 months.
The move comes following reports earlier in the week that Y. Michele Kang and Steve Baldwin are fighting for control of the team. According to reports, the hiring of Olsen was a move by Baldwin, with Kang being kept in the dark.
The Spirit have been the subject of turmoil over the past month, following the firing of Richie Burke. Initially, it was released that he had been re-assigned to the front office due to health reasons. Reports then indicated that Burke had in fact been fired and subsequent allegations of abuse spurred the opening of an investigation by the NWSL.
The Spirit are set to face off against the Portland Thorns on Saturday at 10:30 p.m. ET.