After the NWSL adopted a new anti-harassment policy earlier this year, Farrelly and Shim contacted the league to ask for a new investigation into Riley’s behavior. League commissioner Lisa Baird thanked them for raising their concerns but informed both former players the 2015 complaint was “investigated to conclusion,” and that she could not share any details. This week, when informed of
The Athletic’s reporting on Riley, including the allegations made by Farrelly that were not part of the 2015 Thorns probe, Baird chose not to respond. An NWSL spokesperson said in a statement: “The league was contacted earlier this year regarding an investigation that was completed in 2015. Absent any new or additional information, the matter was closed. That said, the behavior described by former players has absolutely no place in our league and will not be tolerated.”
Baird and others within the league have come under criticism recently as teams have pushed out coaches and other employees without explicitly stating, or obfuscating, the reasons. For example: The Spirit initially announced Richie Burke would resign from his position for health reasons and move into a front-office role; one day later,
a Washington Post story led the team to change its official explanation and announce an investigation into alleged misconduct.