"Boy's Club" culture prevalent among the Washington Spirit: NWSL launches probe

The National Women's Soccer League is currently investigating Washington Spirit regarding allegations of toxic work culture for female employees. The initial probe by NWSL started when allegations of verbal abuse against the former coach Richie Burke were reported by The Washington Post. 

Employees have complained of a typical "old boy's club" culture among the club members with derogatory terms and nicknames being thrown at the female employees, even my senior members. The fact that this sport is already a very male-dominated domain does not help. This has led to many women terminating their employment with the club recently.  The employees have also submitted documents to support their claim of gender discrimination among the employees. The probe comes at a time when NWSL is trying to undergo a structural change to reform the treatment meted out to female players and employees and employees of colour both on and off the field, its a struggle to bring about such a change in a sport predominantly dominated by privileged white men. A third of female employees listed on the club's website has quit since June, especially after allegations against Burke were made public. Former and current employees who spoke anonymously said that the work culture is unbearable especially for women of colour. The CEO and owner of Washington Spirit, Steve Baldwin has allegedly taken active steps to sideline co-owner Y.Michele Kang by excluding her from club events preventing her from speaking to the staff. Kang has apparently in the past been vocal about the treatment of female employees in the club.

Source: The Washington Post