Washington Spirit majority owner Steve Baldwin announced his resignation as CEO and managing partner of the NWSL club. The news comes just over a week after Spirit co-owner Y. Michele Kang called for Baldwin, the controlling owner, to sell the team. In a letter to investors she referenced the “toxic” club culture and promised reforms once she was in control.
The letter is the latest domino to fall in a months-long period the has seen the Spirit organization endure multiple overlapping off-field crises which sparked an investigation from the NWSL, who is also dealing with a shakeup of its own after Lisa Baird stepped down as commissioner amid a bombshell report detailing sexual misconduct from North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley stemming from the power imbalance between him and his players.
The Spirit have undergone the sudden departure of a manager, had multiple female front-office staff members leave the team, a COVID-19 outbreak which saw the team forfeit two matches, and a public dispute within the ownership group. If all that seems like a lot to keep track of, well, it is. So, for clarity’s sake let’s take a look at a timeline of the Washington Spirit’s last handful of controversy-filled weeks.
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What happened to the Washington Spirit?
Aug. 10: The Washington Spirit announce in a now-deleted press release that head coach Richie Burke was stepping down from his position due to health concerns.
Aug. 11: After the Washington Post releases a report on Burke with allegations of creating a toxic environment, verbal abuse, and racists comments, the the Spirit announce that an investigation around the allegations is underway.
Aug. 19: Spirit announce a partnership with Intellibridge, a defense contractor for homeland security and law enforcement would be the front of jersey sponsor. The news is not received positively by core fanbase.
Aug. 21: Washington Spirit and President of Business operations Lindsey Barenz reportedly part ways after participation in the ongoing investigation of Burke and after raising concerns over the recent IntelliBridge sponsorship.
August 29: The Rose Room Collective, a supporter group for the Spirit and DC United that define themselves as a collective of intersectional POC soccer supporters — display a “Sell the team, Steve” banner at the Aug. 29 match against the North Carolina Courage. The Spirit request that Rose Room remove the banner.
The match was also service member appreciation night with distinguished guest retired Air Force general Michael Hayden, a choice which was once again not received well by Spirit fan base, due to Hayden’s history of having been accused of lying to Congress about the CIA’s use of torture.
Aug. 30: Additional reporting from the Washington Post describes a power struggle between owners Y. Michele Kang and Steve Baldwin and details an agreement for Baldwin to sell his shares to Kang (referenced in Monday’s letter from Kang). The report says Baldwin ultimately backed out in resistance to being pushed out.
Sept. 2: Washington Spirit hire former D.C. United player and head coach Ben Olsen as president of team operations. Olsen has no prior experience in women’s soccer and has ties to minority owner Devin Talbott and his firm Enlightenment Capital.
Sept. 4: The team’s match against the Portland Thorns is initially postponed due to four positive COVID-19 cases within the Spirit, with sources claiming there are up to eight unvaccinated players on the team.
Sept. 4: Additional speculation surrounding COVID-19 protocols on the Spirit surface after a local D.C. area sports radio host tweets that a dumpling-making party hosted by Kang is being investigated by the league as the reason for the outbreak. The Athletic later reports that Spirit CEO Larry Best filed the complaint about Kang to the league.
Sept. 10: Former Washington Spirit player Kaiya McCullough releases a podcast episode and video blog detailing toxic environments around the Washington Spirit.
Sept. 11: The Spirit forfeit a match against OL Reign thanks to a breach of medical protocol, with reports confirming that during the COVID-19 outbreak the team did not comply with protocols, including reports of a player traveling out of market and not quarantining after travel.
Sept. 23: The Washington Post confirms reporting that multiple women have left front-office positions and more female executives have resigned, with three of five female department heads leaving the team in the month of September.
Sept. 23: The official Spirit supporters group releases a statement detailing its displeasure at the current state of the club, and that it plans to scale back support. The group also calls for Baldwin to sell the team.
Sept. 24: The NWSL issues a one-game suspension to Spirit player Devon Kerr for “failure to follow team staff directives.” Kerr responds via social media to suspicions that connect her to recent COVID-19 outbreak at the club.
Sept. 26: The Washington Spirit finally return to regular season play after nearly a month-long absence and two forfeits. The team defeats Kansas City NWSL and remains in playoff position.
Sept. 26: During the Spirit match against Kansas City, play by play announcers state that investigations into Washington Spirit and Richie Burke have concluded and more informantaion would be announce the following week.
Sept. 27: Kang sends letter to Spirit fan base and fellow co-owners with her letter calling for Baldwin to sell the team amid constant turmoil around the franchise.
Sept. 28: After a third party investigation of allegations made against Burke and the Washington Spirit, the NWSL announces penalties that consist of official termination of Burke for cause relating to allegations of violations of the league’s anti-harassment policy. Additional consequences issued to the franchise included a ban for the Spirit on all league governance matters ordered effective immediately, and a 14-day deadline to respond to the violations.
Sept. 28: Additional reporting from the Washington Post after the investigation resolution announcement from NWSL is published says that Baldwin “rage traded” players he perceived to be disloyal, further detailing reports of a toxic culture. Baldwin responded, denying that he “rage traded” and identifying the players as Mallory Pugh and Rose Lavelle.
Oct. 5: Majority owner and CEO, Steve Baldwin officially resigns from his position. Baldwin’s resignation letter, published on the team’s official Twitter handle, points out that current club president Ben Olsen will have full authority over club operations at this time.
Oct. 5: Baldwin’s resignation statement is released while players were training and new reports surface that his resignation spearheaded by current Spirit players. A letter signed by 27 players was issued to Baldwin, calling for his resignation.
Oct. 5: Washington Spirit players release statement on Baldwin’s resignation. The players say it’s clear that they do not have trust in Baldwin or the current leadership set in place for club moving forward, and want the franchise to be led by Y. Michele Kang.