San Diego Wave FC President Jill Ellis filed a defamation suit on Monday against a former team employee who accused Ellis on social media of creating a harsh work environment.
Brittany Alvarado, previously a video and creative manager for the Wave, wrote in a July 3 social media post that the treatment she and her co-workers endured under Ellis "has been nothing short of life-altering and devastating to our mental health."
Alvarado alleged that Ellis carried a "narcissistic personal agenda" and allowed an environment "where abusive behaviors among her subordinates are allowed to flourish."
Jill Ellis situation with San Diego Wave
For those who have endured abuse.
For those who are afraid to speak up.
I see you and I will fight for you.This is for you.The time for accountability in the @nwsl is now. pic.twitter.com/ljdC1XUHCQ
— Brittany Alvarado (@bavacado2) July 3, 2024
The former Wave employee urged the National Womens Soccer League to expel Ellis from the league.
"Jill Ellis has no place in this game, and she has been excused for far too long," Alvarado wrote.
Ellis, who called Alvarado's accusations "false" and "personally damaging" in a July 4 statement, filed a suit in California Superior Court claiming defamation and intentional interference with contractual relations.
— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) July 3, 2024
"As a direct and proximate result of the publication of the false and defamatory statements, plaintiff has suffered general and special economic and emotional injury, damage, loss and harm, damage to reputation, anxiety, embarrassment, humiliation, shame and severe emotional distress," Ellis's suit said.
Ellis accuses Alvarado of playing a role in creating fake emails through a Hotmail account and fabricated text messages that appeared as screenshots in Alvarado's social media posts.
The Hotmail account supposedly belonged to Justyne Freud, the Wave's vice president of marketing and public relations. Ellis's suit claims that one of the emails was sent to league commissioner Jessica Berman to announce that Freud was quitting because of Ellis' behavior.
— Brittany Alvarado (@bavacado2) July 3, 2024
The lawsuit also contends that a text message was sent from a burner phone to a Wave player and contained "highly defamatory statements about Ellis, Wave FC, and others," per ESPN.
Alvarado's attorneys argue that Alvarado is entitled to her freedom of speech.
"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," lawyer Casey Hultin said.
"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."
Ellis's suit reportedly says that Alvarado filed a complaint in February about her employment with the Wave to the NWSL, which prompted a two-month league investigation that found no violations. The suit adds that Alvarado left the club in early June.
ESPN reported that three other former Wave employees revealed their adverse experiences with the team after Alvarado shared her posts to Instagram and X.
Additional former employees recounted contemplating suicide and feeling hopeless, per ESPN.
This is all I can say, but please know that NWSL employees deserve protection and safety, and we deserve to be believed.
- Former Senior Communications Manager of San Diego Wave FC (June 2022-Oct. 2023) pic.twitter.com/hPIsR1Oh43— Bernadette O'Donnell (@odonnell_bern) July 4, 2024
It’s the courage of one person to start telling their story in hopes that more people will feel comfortable enough to one day tell theirs. We are with you @bavacado2.
— Sydney Leroux (@sydneyleroux) July 3, 2024
Ellis said in a release earlier in July that "mental health is a priority at our club for everyone."
Ellis, 57, has been the Wave's president since the team's first NWSL season in 2022. She guided the U.S. women's national team to consecutive World Cup titles as head coach in 2015 and 2019.
--Field Level Media
