NWSL's abuse scandal reveals toxic culture normalized throughout sports

In recent months, the prevalence of player abuse in the National Women's Soccer League became frightfully apparent.

Though players returned to the field on Wednesday after taking the weekend off in the wake of sexual-misconduct allegations against since-fired North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley, the reckoning remains far from over — as evidenced by player protests in all three games.

In recent months alone, one coach was fired for verbal abuse, another was dismissed after making inappropriate comments and a general manager was also fired following an investigation connected to the league's anti-harassment policy.

And that's not including Riley.

Dr. Gretchen Kerr, a professor at the University of Toronto with research interests in athlete maltreatment and coaching practices, said the NWSL revelations may just be the tip of the iceberg.

"Abuse in sport is never just about the perpetrator — it's about the system. It's about a system that prioritizes performance or winning over other things," Kerr said.

Erin McLeod, a Canadian national team goalkeeper who also plays for the NWSL's Orlando Pride, said the league's priorities must be altered.