Bay FC Under Investigation: A Deep Dive into the Allegations and Reactions
In a significant development for the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), an investigation has been launched into the technical staff of Bay FC. This was confirmed by NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman on Friday, marking another chapter in the league’s ongoing efforts to address and rectify issues within its teams.
The investigation was first reported by The San Francisco Chronicle, which highlighted allegations from two former Bay FC players who described the environment under head coach Albertin Montoya as “toxic.” The report also mentioned a formal complaint lodged by a player who claimed to have experienced “bullying” by Montoya.
Commissioner Berman addressed the situation, stating, “A review is underway by an independent third party, and we’re very confident that the system we have in place will ensure that we surface the issues that need to be addressed, and that we’ll continue to work with all of our clubs, our technical staff and our players to make sure that we’re achieving our goal of creating a safe, healthy working environment.”
This news comes on the heels of the NWSL’s recent $5 million settlement with the attorneys general from New York, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. This settlement was part of efforts to close ongoing investigations and compensate athletes who were mistreated following revelations of “systemic” abuse uncovered in 2022.
During a 25-minute news conference on Friday, Berman frequently referenced the settlement while addressing questions about investigations and team cultures. The settlement also mandates that the NWSL provide the results of annual anonymous player surveys to the attorneys general.
Berman, who took on the role of commissioner in early 2022 and has a legal background, emphasized that the raising of complaints is indicative of the new system’s effectiveness. She noted, “You want to facilitate an environment where people can come forward without a predetermined conclusion that it means that there’s been a violation, that there’s going to be discipline. Once you have an environment where people come forward and think that’s the assumption, it actually deters people from raising proactive concerns.”
Albertin Montoya, who was appointed as Bay FC’s first head coach ahead of its 2024 expansion season, was chosen after a global search. Montoya is a well-regarded figure in the Bay Area, with extensive experience in the youth soccer landscape, as well as in the NWSL and the now-defunct WPS, where he secured a league title. The Chronicle reported that Montoya has a longstanding relationship with Bay FC majority owner Alan Waxman through the Mountain View Los Altos Soccer Club, a prominent youth program in the Bay Area.
Berman commented on this relationship, saying, “I don’t actually think having familiarity or knowledge of a coach and his or her experience in the youth space is in and of itself a problem,” drawing parallels to other work environments where familiarity influences hiring decisions.
Bay FC faced challenges early in its expansion season, which were compounded by the abrupt resignation of general manager Lucy Rushton in June, less than halfway through the team’s inaugural season. Despite these hurdles, the team managed to improve and secure a spot in the expanded eight-team playoff field, narrowly losing in the quarterfinals.
When asked about the transparency of the investigation’s results, Berman did not explicitly confirm whether they would be made public.
In a related context, the San Diego Wave faced scrutiny last year following allegations from a former employee about a toxic work environment under then team president Jill Ellis. The Wave quickly refuted these claims, and Ellis subsequently filed a defamation lawsuit. The league later stated that third-party investigations had cleared the team of any wrongdoing.
- Six former employees are suing the Wave and the NWSL for various allegations, including discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination.
Berman stated, “On a case-by-case basis, depending on what we learn and what the situation is that we’re navigating, we have to make a judgment call about our macro goals and the specific circumstances that we have in front of us, and that’s what we’ll continue to do,” regarding the league’s decisions on public disclosures.
Adding to the complexity, Bay FC recently hired Graeme Abel as a head scout, despite allegations of abuse during his tenure as head coach of the University of Oregon’s women’s soccer team. Following significant backlash, Abel resigned from the role a week after his appointment. Abel had previously worked with Bay FC sporting director Matt Potter in several roles, including at U.S. Soccer.
Originally Written by: Jeff Kassouf
