San Diego Wave FC president and former United States women's national team coach Jill Ellis has taken legal action by filing a defamation lawsuit against a former Wave employee. The lawsuit, filed in San Diego County Court, alleges that the employee made false and defamatory statements about Ellis on social media.
The former employee, Brittany Alvarado, accused Ellis of creating a toxic work environment in recent social media posts. Alvarado claimed that Ellis fostered an environment where abusive behaviors were allowed to flourish among subordinates.
The lawsuit further alleges that Alvarado supported her claims with a fake email and screenshots of alleged communications. It states that the Wave organization denied the accusations and claimed that the emails were fabricated.
Allegations include the use of a fake email account to send messages to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) commissioner and a Wave player, containing false and defamatory statements about Ellis and the organization.
Attorneys representing Alvarado defended her actions as exercising her First Amendment rights to address gender discrimination and emotional abuse within the Wave organization. They emphasized the need for a safe and respectful workplace for all staff and athletes.
The lawsuit also mentions the impact of the allegations on Ellis, including the loss of speaking engagements and potential opportunities. Ellis, known for coaching the USWNT to back-to-back Women's World Cup victories, joined the Wave as president in 2022.
Following the allegations, other former Wave employees came forward with similar negative experiences, prompting a complaint to the NWSL. A third-party investigation found no violation of league policy in connection with the reported conduct.
Ellis and Alvarado reportedly met once to discuss professional boundaries, with the lawsuit claiming multiple reminders were given to Alvarado. The ongoing legal battle highlights the complexities of workplace dynamics and the importance of addressing allegations of mistreatment.
Players like Alex Morgan, who played under Ellis during World Cup victories, expressed disappointment over the allegations and emphasized the need for improvement within the organization.
In response, Ellis reiterated the club's commitment to mental health and confidentiality, stating that allegations of mistreatment were taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.
