On Wednesday morning the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) announced that Jessica Berman has been named the league’s next commissioner. Berman will oversee all operations of the league. Her duties include supporting players on and off the pitch, working with NWSL clubs to grow the league’s audience, and collaborating with NWSL media partners to enhance the fan experience.
Berman takes the league's top job following a spell where Marla Messing acted as interim CEO for the NWSL. Messing took control of the league after Lisa Baird stepped down in October 2021, following multiple allegations of coaching abuse within the NWSL.
During Messing's five-month tenure, she is credited with negotiating and launching a joint investigation with the NWSLPA and completing the league’s first-ever collective bargaining agreement in January 2022.
The task of finding Berman was the responsibility of the search committee of the NWSL board of governors. This group included Angela Hucles (Angel City FC), Mike Golub (Portland Thorns) Chris Long (Kansas City Current), Sophie Sauvage (OL Reign) and Mark Wilf (Orlando Pride). The Players’ Commissioner Search Committee was comprised of current NWSL players Crystal Dunn, Kaylie Collins, Jane Campbell, Bri Visalli, Nicole Barnhart, Emily Menges, Tori Huster, and Executive Director Meghann Burke. The board was assisted by James and Company, one of the world’s premier executive search firms.
“We’re thrilled to have Jessica serve as the next commissioner of the NWSL as we embark on our 10th season of play,” said Sauvage, in a statement released by the NWSL on Wednesday. “This process was incredibly collaborative throughout and we want to thank the players for their involvement. Jessica’s extensive professional background, her commitment to elevating diverse voices in the sports industry, and her vision for the future of our league, made her the right fit for this incredibly important position.”
“I’m honored to be the next commissioner of the NWSL and grateful to the owners for their confidence in me,” said Berman, on Wednesday. “Working on behalf of, and in partnership with, our players is my number one priority. Having been involved in professional sports for many years, I know how critically important a genuine partnership with players is for us all to be successful and continue to grow. The successful conclusion of the league’s first-ever CBA with our players is the perfect foundation from which to build that partnership, and I am grateful for Marla Messing’s leadership in getting that done.
📲 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗘
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 9, 2022
*𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴*
👋 Hey, @JessicaBerman1 👋 pic.twitter.com/CofBihMS4A
“I want to thank Marla for the incredible work she did on behalf of our league and the players we collectively serve,” said Wilf. “To have joined the league at that moment in time, and accomplished all that she did, is a testament to Marla’s professionalism and character. We would not be where we are today, positioned for a second decade of growth, without Marla’s involvement and we’re grateful that she’s agreed to remain involved going forward.”
Berman is set to begin her four-year term as commissioner on April 20, 2022. To ensure a smooth transition, Messing will continue her role as interim CEO until May 31, 2022.
NWSLPA Executive Director Meghann Burke said, “A strong commissioner is vital to the future growth of NWSL. In this process, the Players’ Commissioner Search Committee focused on finding a candidate who understood that the strength and success of players and our union is integral to the success of NWSL. The Players Association would like to thank the board of governors for agreeing to include players in the selection process and for giving thoughtful consideration to our feedback. We support the selection of Commissioner Berman and look forward to working alongside her to achieve the common goal of building an NWSL that sets the global standard for women’s professional soccer.”
Berman is already a seasoned sports executive, and will join the NWSL after two and a half years serving as deputy commissioner and executive vice president of business affairs at the National Lacrosse League (NLL). At the NLL, Berman’s responsibilities included overseeing team services, operations, marketing and communications, broadcast and content, community engagement, human resources, and league governance.
Prior to leading the NLL, Berman spent 13 years with the National Hockey League (NHL), first serving as vice president and deputy general counsel for the organization before becoming vice president of community development, culture and growth and executive director of the NHL Foundation. In her role as Deputy General Counsel, she was involved in collective bargaining negotiations, and was a key contributor in creating and executing the NHL’s labor strategy during the 2012 negotiations.