Former Houston Dash Manager Files Lawsuit Against NWSL and NWSLPA
Lawyers representing former Houston Dash manager James Clarkson have filed a lawsuit against the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA), and others. The lawsuit alleges defamation, tortious interference, and conspiracy, claiming that Clarkson was defamed when a joint investigation conducted by the league and the NWSLPA concluded he engaged in “abuse and emotional misconduct.”
The lawsuit, filed in District Court for Harris County, Texas, also names law firms Covington & Burling LLP and Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP, as well as lawyers Amanda Kramer, Mona Patel, and Arianna Scavetti, who were part of the team investigating Clarkson and others.
The lawsuit seeks damages for injury to reputation, the monetary value of all lost benefits of the contract defendants interfered with, and punitive damages.
The NWSLPA has issued a statement saying they have not yet been served with the lawsuit and cannot respond to specific allegations without having been served. They assert their commitment to protecting NWSL players and state that the truth is their defense.
The NWSL and the other defendants named in the lawsuit have not immediately responded to requests for comment.
Joint Investigation and Suspension
The lawsuit follows a joint investigation conducted by the NWSL and NWSLPA after reports of allegations of sexual and emotional abuse by coaches against players surfaced in September 2021. The investigation was conducted by law firms Covington & Burling LLP and Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP, and ran parallel to a similar investigation conducted by the U.S. Soccer Federation.
In April 2022, just before the start of the season, Clarkson was suspended by the Dash at the urging of the NWSL and NWSLPA after the joint investigation uncovered “initial findings” of “discrimination, harassment, and abuse.” The Dash continued to pay Clarkson, but he was not allowed to have contact with the team.
The findings of the USSF investigation released in October 2022 did not accuse Clarkson of wrongdoing. However, the joint investigation released its findings in December 2022, stating that Clarkson was placed on temporary suspension due to complaints from players regarding “ongoing emotional misconduct and insensitivity.” Following the release of the final report, the Dash announced that Clarkson’s contract would not be renewed.
The joint investigation found that while a majority of players considered Clarkson “fair,” an incident in which he berated the team for suspected drinking before an exhibition game created a culture of “anxiety and fear.”
Clarkson’s Lawsuit and Allegations
Clarkson’s lawsuit claims that the joint investigation’s report contains 14 unsubstantiated allegations and that key staff members who could support his version of events were not interviewed. The lawsuit aims to clear Clarkson’s name, expose what he alleges are lies, and hold the defendants accountable for the harm inflicted.
