San Diego, California – A former employee of the San Diego Wave soccer club has taken to social media to make allegations of discrimination and disregard for mental health within the organization. Brittany Alvarado, a former video and creative manager for the Wave, claimed that the club had a high turnover rate among female employees and fostered an unhealthy work environment under Wave president Jill Ellis. The allegations were promptly denied by the club.
Alvarado’s social media post called for Ellis’s removal from her position at the Wave, prompting a response from the club refuting the claims as inaccurate and defamatory. The Wave stated that they are investigating the situation and will pursue legal action to address the matter.
In addition to the Wave controversy, Alvarado also criticized the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) for allegedly not fully implementing recommendations from investigative reports that detailed systemic issues within the league and its clubs. The recent firing of head coach Casey Stoney by the Wave on June 24 further added to the turmoil within the organization.
Former U.S. women’s national team player Sydney Leroux and Wave striker Alex Morgan have both voiced their support for Alvarado, with Leroux citing past criticisms of Ellis during her time as head coach of the USWNT. Leroux commended Alvarado’s courage in speaking out and expressed hope for a more inclusive and positive environment within soccer organizations.
Morgan emphasized the importance of equity in the workplace, stating that there is still much work to be done to ensure a safe and supportive environment for both players and staff. The developments within the Wave and the NWSL highlight ongoing challenges in promoting diversity and inclusion within professional sports organizations.