NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman speaks with the press during the 2025 NWSL Media Day in January.
Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images
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Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images
The National Women’s Soccer League has plans to adopt a tool to monitor and protect players from online abuse, NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman told NPR’s All Things Considered. The plans, first reported by NPR, are expected to come during the 2025 season.
The NWSL came under scrutiny last November after Orlando Pride striker Barbra Banda received online abuse accusing her of being a “man,” after she was voted the BBC’s Women Footballer of the Year. Banda is a cisgender woman.
At the time, Harry Potter series author J.K. Rowling accused the BBC of “spit[ting] directly in women’s faces.”
The backlash came two years after Banda failed gender eligibility tests before the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, keeping her out of competition. But the Zambian forward went on to represent her country at the World Cup in 2023.
The NWSL league didn’t issue their own statement in November, according to The Athletic.
They reposted a message originally shared by Banda’s team in Orlando, expressing their pride in Barbra being named the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year for her remarkable achievements during the historic 2024 season.
In a recent interview with NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman, she acknowledged the lessons learned from the mishandling of the abuse Banda faced in November, emphasizing the league’s commitment to supporting and protecting all players, including Barbra Banda.
Berman mentioned that the league is actively seeking a technology partner to monitor social media hate directed towards players, aiming to respond swiftly to any future incidents.
Drawing inspiration from the Olympic committee’s use of an AI-powered tool to combat online abuse during the 2024 Paris Games, the NWSL is adopting a similar approach to safeguard its athletes.
Barbra Banda, who captivated audiences with her performances last season, is set to kick off the 2025 NWSL season in Orlando. With an impressive record from the previous season, including helping the Pride secure two trophies and being a finalist for MVP, Banda is gearing up for another exciting season.
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