San Diego Wave and USWNT superstar Alex Morgan has broken her silence on allegations made against club president and former national team coach Jill Ellis.
On Wednesday, Ellis was accused by a former NWSL team videographer of “fostering an environment where abusive behavior is allowed to flourish among her subordinates.”
While the team has denied the unspecified allegations, team captain Morgan has now taken to social media with a statement of her own.
“I am disappointed to hear the allegations made today by several former Wave FC employees,” Morgan wrote on X.
‘As players, we have worked hard to build a team that is surrounded by an inclusive, positive and safe environment.
Alex Morgan has released a statement regarding the explosive allegations made against Jill Ellis
Ellis won two World Cups with the U.S. National Team before moving to the Wave of the NWSL.
“But it’s important to me that we create that environment for both players and staff across the organization. Fairness in the workplace is something I have championed and will continue to champion.
“I want to be proud of what we’re building at Wave, but it’s clear there’s a lot of work to do.”
The San Diego Wave called allegations made by a former employee on social media “inaccurate and defamatory” in a statement Wednesday.
Brittany Alvarado, who says she is the team’s former video and creative manager, called on the National Women’s Soccer League to remove team president Ellis, a former coach of the U.S. women’s national team.
He cited a poor and discriminatory work environment that affected his mental health in a Long post on social platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
Morgan, 35, arrives for a recent NWSL game against the Chicago Red Stars
Brittany Alvarado (pictured) made her announcement on social media on Wednesday
The Wave responded with a statement saying the team “has been made aware of a recent social media post made by a former employee containing inaccurate and defamatory statements about the club.”
The Wave went on to say that they were investigating Possible legal avenues available to address the matter.
“Jill Ellis has no place in this game and has been excused for far too long,” Alvarado wrote of the English-born executive, who won two World Cups with Team USA during her celebrated run on the sidelines.
Alvarado doesn’t blame Ellis for everything he says he’s endured, but he does believe Ellis has been the driving force behind the team’s rampant rotation since the inaugural 2021 season.
“Since the team’s inception, over 30 employees have been fired or resigned, and nearly 75% of them are women, underscoring the deep-rooted problems within the club,” Alvarado said in her post on X. “Sadly, many of these employees are hesitant to speak publicly about their experiences, reflecting the widespread fear surrounding these issues.”
Alvarado believes Ellis has been the driving force behind the team’s rampant personnel turnover.
Alvarado shared an alleged example, though not one that directly involved Ellis.
Instead, Alvarado shared a brief email she said was sent to her by a senior management member of the team in the wake of her recent resignation.
“You are the most pathetic person I have ever met,” the email, marked 6-17, read. “You must have no sense of work ethic or integrity. We are so thrilled that you are no longer with the club.”
The team insists that this email was fabricated.
“Not only does the post contain a fabricated email, but the claims it contains are categorically false, including those directed at our president Jill Ellis,” a club spokeswoman said in a statement.