San Diego Wave forward Alex Morgan has responded after multiple former club employees accused the NWSL team of fostering an environment that was detrimental to mental health.
Former Wave video and creative manager Brittany Alvarado released a lengthy statement on Wednesday accusing club president Jill Ellis of creating a culture of abuse at the club.
“[Ellis] has compromised countless lives to advance her narcissistic personal agenda, fostering an environment where abusive behaviors among her subordinates was allowed to flourish,” Alvarado said on X .
Alvarado added that Ellis “has been nothing short of life-altering and devastating to our mental health.”
In a statement , the Wave categorically denied the accusations, calling them “inaccurate and defamatory,” while adding that the club would be pursuing all legal avenues.
Jenny Chuang, a nother former Wave employee,
responded to Alvarado’s post by saying: “I was placed on suicide watch during my tenure with the Wave in 2022. I begged for help while my mental health declined rapidly.”
The accusations from Alvarado and Chuang were followed by a similar statement from Bernadette O’Donnell, the club’s former senior communications manager.
“By the end, I had no hope for my life and didn’t want to be alive anymore most of the time,” O’Donnell said.
In the wake of the statements from her club’s former employees, Morgan responded with a post of her own on X.
Morgan and Ellis have a long relationship, as the striker was a key player during the Englishwoman’s five-year tenure as U.S. women’s national team head coach. Ellis then made Morgan the Wave’s signature acquisition ahead of the club’s inaugural NWSL season in 2022.
Notably, Morgan appeared to concede that there were at least some problematic elements in the team’s culture, concluding by saying: “It is clear that there is so much work to be done.”
“I am disappointed to hear about the allegations made by multiple former Wave FC employees today,” Morgan said.
“As players, we have worked hard to build a team that is surrounded by an inclusive, positive and safe environment.
“But it’s important to me that we are creating that environment for both players AND staff throughout the entire organization. Equity in the workplace is something I have and will continue to advocate for.
“I want to be proud of what we are building at the Wave but it is clear that there is so much work to be done.”
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