Portland Thorns owner Merritt Paulson and Chicago Red Stars owner Arnim Whisler are both stepping away from decision-making roles with their National Women's Soccer League clubs until the findings are released from an ongoing investigation into numerous reports of sexual misconduct and abuse around the league.
Paulson, who is also the owner of Major League Soccer's Portland Timbers, announced his decision in a statement Tuesday, one day after the release of the findings of a disturbing independent investigation into the NWSL's abuse scandals commissioned by U.S.
Soccer. A concurrent investigation is still being conducted jointly by the league and the players' union, and Paulson plans to step away until its completion.
Truth Be Told: The Fight for Women's Professional Soccer debuts Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+. «Yesterday's Yates report unveiling was the darkest day I have experienced, and I know the same is true for everyone else who loves our team and our league,» Paulson said. «I know it was even harder and darker for those whose stories were shared publicly.