Ex-USWNT coach Jill Ellis SUES former San Diego Wave staffer for defamation over shock claim she fostered 'abusive environment' with NWSL team

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Ex-US women's national team coach Jill Ellis has filed a defamation lawsuit against a former San Diego Wave FC employee who accused her of fostering an 'abusive environment' as president of the NWSL team.

Brittany Alvarado, who worked as a videographer for the Wave, made the bombshell claims against Ellis while announcing her resignation on social media earlier this month.

In her statement, she also urged NWSL officials to 'remove Jill Ellis from both the San Diego Wave and the league entirely', before alleging that the club president has 'compromised countless lives to advance her narcissistic personal agenda'.

Spokespeople for the Wave swiftly rejected Alvarado's unspecified allegations and did not rule out taking legal action against her at the time.

Now almost four weeks on, Ellis is suing the ex-San Diego staffer for defamation herself.

San Diego Wave president Jill Ellis (pictured) has filed a defamation lawsuit against a former employee who accused her of fostering an 'abusive environment'

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San Diego Wave president and ex-USWNT coach Jill Ellis faces hostile workplace claims in NWSL

In a lawsuit seen by DailyMail.com, the two-time World Cup-winning coach claims through her attorneys that Alvarado's allegations are 'outrageous and completely false' as well as defamatory.

The videographer is described as undertaking a 'completely unexpected and malicious campaign to defame Ellis and destroy her hard-earned stellar reputation and livelihood, with highly damaging and scandalous allegations'.

Ellis' attorneys go on to accuse Alvarado of relying upon an 'obviously fake email' which she alleged showed messages of abuse from the Wave's Head of Marketing and PR Justyne Freud.

'Ellis was accustomed to receiving criticism for her coaching decisions, whether it be from passionate fans, critics, the media, or former players who were displeased with her roster choices,' the lawsuit continued. 'She expects no different in her role as President of Wave FC, and constructive critiques about her decisions or leadership style are fair game and welcome. 

'However, malicious false and defamatory lies targeted at ruining her personal professional reputation and tarnishing her workplace are not.'

Brittany Alvarado (pictured), who worked as a videographer for the Wave, made the bombshell claims against Ellis while announcing her resignation 

She said the USWNT icon has been the driving force behind the team's rampant turnover 

But Ellis, who won two World Cups as USWNT coach, has sued Alvarado for defamation

In the alleged email from Freud, which Alvarado claimed was an example of the abusive environment Ellis had fostered, the Wave employee is said to have told her: 'You are the most pathetic person I've ever met. You must have no sense of work ethics or integrity. We are ecstatic you are no longer with the club.'

Ellis' attorneys, though, insist the email was shown as being sent from a Hotmail account attributed to Freud. 

'It is inherently unbelievable that Ms. Freud would communicate from a Hotmail account, which no professional team executive would ever use,' the lawsuit reads. 

'Moreover, Ms. Freud is in charge of the department at Wave FC that Defendant worked in, and Defendant was aware of Ms. Freud’s real Wave FC work email address and that the [email protected] address from which the Fake Email was sent was not authentic or sent from the real Ms. Freud at Wave FC.'

As part of the lawsuit, Ellis is requesting damages in an amount to be determined at a jury trial, along with punitive damages and an order which prevents Alvarado from continuing to publish her original statement.

The legendary USWNT coach has spent the last two years as president of the Wave - an expansion NWSL team formed back in 2021.

Through her attorneys she branded the accusations 'outrageous and completely false'

During her time with the US women's national team, she won consecutive World Cups in 2015 and 2019. 

Alvarado did not make any specific allegations against Ellis, but argues that under her leadership, the club 'often perpetuated discrimination against women and demonstrated a complete disregard for their long-term mental health.'

'Jill Ellis has no place in this game, and she has been excused for far too long,' Alvarado wrote about the English-born executive, who won two World Cups with Team USA during her celebrated career on the sidelines.

Alvarado isn't blaming Ellis for all she says she endured, but does believe that she has been the driving force behind the team's rampant turnover since inaugural 2021 season.

'Since the team's inception, over 30 employees have been fired or quit, with nearly 75% of them being women, underscoring the deep issues within the club,' Alvarado claimed in her post on X. 'Sadly, many of these employees are hesitant to speak publicly about their experiences, reflecting the widespread fear surrounding these issues.' 

Wave captain and USWNT star Alex Morgan posted a statement regarding the bombshell allegations made against Ellis

While the team quickly denied Alvarado's unspecified allegations, San Diego captain and USWNT star Alex Morgan also took to social media with a statement of her own.

'I am disappointed to hear about the allegations made by multiple former Wave FC employees today,' Morgan wrote on X.

'As players, we have worked hard to build a team that is surrounded by an inclusive, positive and safe environment.

'But it's important to me that we are creating that environment for both players AND staff throughout the entire organization. Equity in the workplace is something I have and will continue to advocate for.

'I want to be proud of what we are building at the Wave but it is clear that there is so much work to be done.'