Jessica Berman named new NWSL commissioner
The National Women's Soccer League announced that Berman will be in charge for the next four years and she will begin on 20 April.
Jessica Berman has been appointed as the new National Women’s Soccer League commissioner and her mandate will start on 20 April. The former NHL executive will be in charge of the league for the next four years after serving as deputy commissioner and executive vice president of business affairs in the NWSL for the past two seasons.
"Working on behalf of, and in partnership with, our players is my number one priority," Berman said in a statement. "Having been involved in professional sports for many years, I know how critically important a genuine partnership with players is for us all to be successful and continue to grow.''
Berman takes over after turbulent period
The National Women’s Soccer League experienced a turbulent period during 2021 when allegations of player abuse and harassment surfaced. It exposed five managers including Rick Burke and Paul Riley, who were removed from their respective jobs and it made Lisa Baird resign from the commissioner job.
Now Berman will try to leave that dark period behind and start from scratch. For the upcoming campaign there will be a new collective bargaining agreement with the NWSL Players Association and two expansion teams will enter the league, Angels City FC and the San Diego Wave.