NWSL Imposes Disciplinary Actions On High-Profile Angel City For Cap Violations
Friday, October 4, 2024 at 02:56PM By Barry Janoff
October 3, 2024: Even with its all-star power ownership, Angel City FC could not escape the spotlight of a NWSL investigation.
The NWSL said it has conducted and concluded an investigation into a salary cap violation by Angel City Football Club and is imposing disciplinary actions based on the findings, including a financial penalty, loss of points in the current standings and the suspension for the remainder of the year of the team’s president-CEO and also its GM.
Angel City ownership has not as yet responded publicly to the situation.
According to the league, “During calendar year 2023, ACFC entered into five side letters directly with players that effected multi-year agreements and were not disclosed to the league.
“These agreements included a combination of compensation and benefits that were reflected in the Standard Player Agreement and excess benefits that were neither reported to the league nor included in the Standard Player Agreement.”
Due to these undisclosed benefits, the NWSL said ACFC “exceeded the salary cap by approximately $50,000 for four weeks during the 2024 season.”
Among the disciplinary actions, ACFC will be fined $200,000 and deduction of three (3) points from ACFC’s 2024 standings, effective immediately.
Angel City is now 11th in the 14-team league, with the top eight teams making the playoffs.
The NWSL 2024 season is scheduled to end Nov. 8.
In addition, Angel City president and CEO Julie Uhrman and GM Angela Hucles Mangano “are suspended, effective immediately, from conducting duties relating to any player transactions for the remainder of the 2024 calendar year.”
This past July, current ownership of Angel City FC signed an agreement with Willow Bay, dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, and Bob Iger, CEO of the Walt Disney Co., to acquire a controlling stake in Los Angeles-based ACFC.
The enterprise value of $250 million made Angel City “the most valuable women's sports team in the world.”
ACFC was founded in 2020 by actor and activist Natalie Portman, venture capitalist Kara Nortman, and entrepreneur Julie Uhrman. Alexis Ohanian, Reddit chairman and 776 founder, was the club's founding controlling owner.
he ACFC ownership group also includes sports icons Serena Williams (and daughter Olympica), Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss; WNBA legend Candace Parker (and daughter Lailaa); 13 former players from the U.S. Women's National Team, Olympic gold medalist and alpine skiing legend Lindsey Vonn, musician Becky G; and actors Uzo Aduba, Jessica Chastain, America Ferrera, Jennifer Garner, Eva Longoria and Lilly Singh.
The NWSL said it would now be conducting “annual investigations and audits of player spending across clubs to ensure compliance with league rules.”
“The NWSL remains committed to maintaining fairness and transparency across all clubs, reinforcing the importance of adhering to established rules and upholding the competitive balance within the league.”
Disney CEO Iger, Willow Bay NWSL ACFC Controlling Owners In Record $250M Deal
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