Annus horribilis - a year to forget for the @nwsl.
A timeline of the NWSL's decline into scandal, disgrace and chaos during 2021, with some good news along the way. Apologies in advance for any mistakes and/or omissions. 1/many
A timeline of the NWSL's decline into scandal, disgrace and chaos during 2021, with some good news along the way. Apologies in advance for any mistakes and/or omissions. 1/many
Jan. 12 - NWSL officially announces an expansion team from Sacramento, California, will join the league for the 2022 season. Sacramento Republic FC investors Ron Burkle and Matt Alvarez are involved, says Lisa Baird.
Jan. 28 - Japanese tennis superstar Naomi Osaka announced as an investor at North Carolina Courage.
Feb - 17 - Chelsea Clinton and Jenna Bush Hager announced as micro-investors in Washington Spirit, as is Devin Talbott.
March 1 - Chicago Red Stars join a growing trend by announcing a series of micro-investors, including Kendall Coyne Schofield and Sarah Spain.
March 10 - Lisa Baird celebrates one year as NWSL commissioner
March 20 - The Equalizer reports that the Sacramento expansion team could move to San Diego after Burkle withdraws funding for the mooted Sacramento MLS team.
March 20 - David Dobrik forced out as a micro-investor in Angel City FC following a series of lurid claims against the social media personality and his Vlog Squad.
March 29 - NWSL unveils multiyear sponsorship deal with Nationwide.
March 31 - League follows this up with a sponsorship deal with Ally.
March 31 - League follows this up with a sponsorship deal with Ally.
April 6 - Sky Blue FC rebranded as NJ/NY Sky Blue FC.
April 7 - NWSL and NWSL Players Association formally begin negotiations to secure the league’s inaugural collective bargaining agreement.
May 10 - Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin announced as Washington Spirit investor.
May 14 - NWSL continues its recent commercial run with Mastercard agreement.
May 14 - North Carolina Courage announces series of new minority investors, including sports marketing executive Sara Toussaint.
June 8 - NWSL confirms San Diego expansion team for 2022. Jill Ellis to serve as team president.
June 22 - Ted Segal takes over Houston Dash and Houston Dynamo
July 2 - Farid Benstiti resigns as OL Reign head coach, with no explanation why. In October, the Washington Post reports Benstiti had been the subject of a formal complaint of verbal abuse against players.
July 16 - Gotham FC announces it has fired general manager Alyse LaHue based on the results of an NWSL investigation into a complaint of a league policy violation. LaHue denies the allegations.
July 21 - Wilf family complete takeover of Orlando Pride and Orlando City SC, DeVos family join ownership group.
July 30 - The NWSL and Olivia Moultrie come to a settlement of their dispute which will allow Moultrie to play in the league unless and until the league and the NWSLPA agree to a collective bargaining agreement that includes an age requirement older than her then-current age.
This is when things really start to change...
August 10 - Washington Spirit head coach Richie Burke steps down for "health reasons" and will move to the front office, the club announces.
August 10 - Washington Spirit head coach Richie Burke steps down for "health reasons" and will move to the front office, the club announces.
August 11 - The Washington Post details allegations of verbal and emotional abuse by Burke to players. Spirit announces Burke is suspended while the NWSL launches an investigation.
August 29 - OL Reign sets NWSL attendance record when 27,248 fans watch the team’s 2-1 home victory against Portland Thorns at Lumen Field.
August 30 - Washington Post reports that minority owner Michele Kang is seeking to buy a controlling share from majority owner Steve Baldwin.
August 31 - Racing Louisville FC fires head coach Christy Holly “for cause.” Local reports allege a toxic work environment.
September 3 - Washington Spirit appoints local pro soccer legend Ben Olsen as club president.
September 8 - A number of NWSL players criticize the league’s decision to stage its November 20 championship game at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon, at 9am local time.
September 14 - Another league-wide sponsorship deal, this time with Deloitte.
September 22 - Washington Post reports 'old boys' club' and toxic workplace culture at Washington Spirit under Steve Baldwin's ownership.
September 24 - Washington Spirit supporters' group Spirit Squadron calls on Steve Baldwin to step down as team owner.
September 27 - Michele Kang publicly calls on Baldwin to step down and sell the club.
September 28 - Washington Spirit suspended from league business.
September 30 - The Athletic reports devastating report into claims of sexual coercion by North Carolina Courage head coach Paul Riley during his time at the Portland Thorns. Riley is fired by the Courage.
October 1 - Lisa Baird steps down as NWSL commissioner, Lisa Levine ousted as general counsel; Fifa and the United States Soccer Federation launch separate probes into allegations of sexual harassment and abuse; NWSL weekend games postponed
October 3 - Amanda Duffy (Orlando Pride), Angie Long (Kansas City NWSL), and Sophie Sauvage (OL Reign) form executive committee oversee NWSL league operations
October 5 - Mana Shim, Sinead Farrelly and Alex Morgan give interview to the Today show to discuss Paul Riley scandal
October 5 - Steve Baldwin announces he is stepping down as the chief executive and managing partner of the Washington Spirit.
October 6 - Portland Thorns GM Gavin Wilkinson placed on administrative leave pending the results of the club's independent investigation of its 2015 investigation into former coach Paul Riley.
October 6 - Resumption of games, with demonstrations of solidarity by the players and coaches stopping the game in the sixth minute to stand at the center circle for one minute.
October 13 - NWSL championship game moved from Portland to Louisville so it has a 12am local kick-off time, not 9am.
October 15 - Washington Spirit majority owner Steve Baldwin tells club investors that he plans to sell the NWSL team amid widespread pressure from players and fans.
October 18 - Veteran soccer executive Marla Messing appointed as the organization’s interim chief executive. NWSL executive committee dissolved.
October 21 - NWSL expansion team Angel City FC announces that its players will receive one per cent of the club’s ticketing revenue. Also announced the team has sold 11,000 season tickets in advance of the inaugural 2022 campaign.
October 26 - Kansas City NWSL unveils plans for $70m female-focused, soccer-specific stadium, which would be one of the first such venues ever built in women’s soccer.
November 1 - Kansas City NWSL rebrands as Kansas City Current
November 1 - Billionaire businessman Todd Boehly is in talks to buy the Washington Spirit, the Washington Post reports.
November 1 - Concacaf head of women's soccer Karina LeBlanc named Portland Thorns general manager, replacing Gavin Wilkinson, who remains at the Timbers.
November 20 - NWSL announces long-term Nike agreement and a one-year extension of its domestic media rights deal with CBS through 2023.
November 22 - Chicago Red Stars head coach Rory Dames resigns hours before Washington Post report detailing years of emotional abuse and seeking inappropriate relationships
End thread. Still plenty of time for more NWSL news this calendar year.
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