Five former employees of the San Diego Wave have taken legal action against the NWSL club, claiming discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination among other serious allegations. Filed on October 7, 2024, the lawsuit stems in part from social media allegations made earlier this year by former employee Brittany Alvarado.

The plaintiffs, including Alvarado, assert that both the Wave and the NWSL neglected complaints about a toxic workplace environment. They are seeking damages for lost wages, benefits, emotional distress, and punitive damages.

One plaintiff, referred to as Jane Doe in the court documents, alleges she was sexually assaulted by a colleague but chose not to report the incident to the club or the police at the time. After informing a manager about the trauma caused by another employee and acknowledging her mental health struggles, she claims she was placed on leave and subsequently terminated.

The lawsuit indicates that the NWSL investigated complaints against the Wave on two occasions but failed to take any action. In response, the NWSL stated that the safety and well-being of all individuals involved in the league are its top priorities, and that it takes all reports of misconduct seriously. “We hire qualified independent investigators to thoroughly review allegations and act when facts support those claims,” the league commented, opting not to delve into specifics regarding the ongoing legal situation.

The Wave also released a statement, confirming that the lawsuit references allegations initially made in July 2024. “As this is now an ongoing legal proceeding, we are unable to comment further at this time,” the team stated.

Interestingly, the lawsuit does not name Wave president Jill Ellis as a defendant. Earlier, Ellis had filed her own defamation lawsuit against Alvarado in July, contesting the accuracy of the claims in her social media post, which she described as both false and damaging.

In her post, Alvarado shared her mental health challenges linked to what she characterized as a discriminatory workplace. In her defense, Ellis emphasized that mental health is a priority for the club and highlighted existing support measures, including an employee assistance program. She reiterated that the team addresses allegations of mistreatment when they arise.