Lisa Baird, who was under fire for her handling of sexual misconduct allegations against a head coach, resigned Friday night as commissione...
Lisa Baird, who was under fire for her handling of sexual misconduct allegations against a head coach, resigned Friday night as commissioner of the top US professional women’s soccer league.
Baird’s decision was announced in a statement posted on the National Women’s Soccer League’s Twitter account and comes just hours after she said the NWSL was calling off this weekend’s matches around the United States.
“The National Women’s Soccer League on Friday has received and accepted Lisa Baird’s resignation as its commissioner,” the league said.
The decision to remove Baird was made by the league’s board of directors, American sports broadcaster ESPN reported. No replacement has been announced.
Baird’s resignation comes a day after the North Carolina Courage fired head coach Paul Riley for what the team called “very serious allegations of misconduct.”
“This week, and much of this season, has been incredibly traumatic for our players and staff, and I take full responsibility for the role I have played,” Baird said earlier Friday before she resigned.
“I am so sorry for the pain so many are feeling,” she added in a statement. “Recognizing that trauma, we have decided not to take the field this weekend to give everyone some space to reflect.”
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 30, 2021
Baird was...
