Wave’s Jill Ellis files defamation suit against ex-employee

San Diego Wave FC president and former United States women’s national team coach Jill Ellis has filed a defamation lawsuit against a former Wave employee who recently accused Ellis of creating a toxic work environment.

The lawsuit, which was filed in San Diego County Court on Monday, alleges that Brittany Alvarado, the team’s former video and creative manager, made false and defamatory statements about Ellis in recent posts on her social media accounts. The lawsuit further claims that those statements were supported by a fake email, an allegation that the Wave organization made in its public denial of the accusations earlier this month.

In her social media posts July 3, Alvarado alleged that Ellis’ treatment of her and former colleagues “has been nothing short of life-altering and devastating to our mental health” and alleged that Ellis “foster[ed] an environment where abusive behaviors among her subordinates are allowed to flourish.”

Alvarado posted a follow-up screenshot of a redacted email titled “Pathetic,” which Alvarado said she received from “a senior leadership member” at Wave FC.

The lawsuit alleges that two other emails were sent on the same day from a “fake and unofficial Hotmail account” that purported to be Wave FC vice president of marketing and PR Justyne Freud. One of those emails, the lawsuit alleges, was sent to NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman (and copied the league’s head of human resources) to state that Freud was resigning because she could no longer tolerate Ellis. The disputed email was allegedly sent June 17; Freud remains employed by the Wave.

Ellis’ lawsuit also alleges that what is “believed to be a burner phone” was used to send a text message to a Wave player making “false, incendiary, and highly defamatory statements about Ellis, Wave FC, and others.”

Attorneys representing Alvarado said she was exercising her First Amendment rights in an attempt to bring about positive change within the Wave organization.

“Our client, a courageous former employee, has stepped forward to exercise her First Amendment rights, shining a light on the pervasive gender discrimination and emotional abuse within the organization,” Casey Hultin told ESPN. “Her voice, echoing the experiences of many, calls for immediate and substantial change to protect both staff and athletes from further harm. This is not just a plea for justice; it’s a demand for a safe, respectful and equitable environment for all.”

Co-counsel Micha Star Liberty added: “In standing up against the systemic gender discrimination and emotional abuse she endured, our client exemplifies bravery and resilience. Her testimony underscores the urgent need for reform within the organization to ensure that no employee or athlete suffers in silence.

“This is a pivotal moment for change, and we are committed to supporting her fight for a workplace that upholds dignity, equality and mental well-being for everyone involved.”

Alvarado’s posts on X and Instagram reached millions and drew global headlines, the lawsuit states. Three other former Wave FC employees soon came forward stating they had similarly poor experiences with the organization.

Another former Wave employee, who still freelances for the NWSL, said she went on “suicide watch.” Another said she had “no hope for my life and I didn’t want to be alive anymore most of the time.” A fourth called the Wave’s work environment “toxic.”

Alvarado filed a complaint with the NWSL on Feb. 5, 2024, according to the lawsuit. On or about April 26, 2024, the third-party investigation was concluded, and it found “no violation of league policy in connection with the reported conduct,” per an NWSL spokesperson.

Ellis’ lawsuit states that she and Alvarado spoke and met only once, sometime on or after Oct. 15, 2023, for Ellis to discuss professional boundaries with players. That was “the fourth time in just a handful of months” Alvarado was given the reminder, the lawsuit alleges.

Among the damages to Ellis, the lawsuit states, have been a longtime sponsor canceling a scheduled speaking engagement with her, another organization ceasing negotiations with her to be a keynote speaker, and the postponement of an honorary degree from a prestigious university. “These damages are continuing to grow,” the lawsuit writes.

Ellis joined the Wave as the expansion team’s first president ahead of its inaugural NWSL season in 2022. She is the only coach to win back-to-back Women’s World Cups, guiding the USWNT to victories in 2015 and 2019.

Alex Morgan, who is one of the USWNT’s top career scorers and played for Ellis during those two World Cup titles and currently plays for San Diego, wrote in a post on X later on July 3 that she was “disappointed to hear about the allegations” and said “it is clear that there is so much work to be done.”

In a statement earlier this month, Ellis said that “mental health is a priority at our club for everyone.”

The statement continued: “I will continue to protect former and current employee confidentiality. When allegations of mistreatment have been made, we have taken them seriously and investigated them thoroughly. In addition, when appropriate, independent third parties have assisted us in evaluating our workplace. At no time have those evaluations uncovered any wrongdoing by the club.”