LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Racing Louisville FC has announced it is looking to add a new general manager to lead the day-to-day operations of the National Women's Soccer League club.
"This hire will serve as a liaison between the team and front office with a goal toward improving Racing Louisville on and off the field," officials said in a press release.
Duties of the general manger will include overseeing performance, player recruitment and compliance.
They will also provide support and insight for players and staff while implementing best practices across professional soccer.
The announcement comes weeks after a report by Sally Yates detailed allegations of abuse by the league's former Coach Christy Holly, who was terminated in August 2021.
The allegations are also being investigated further by the NWSL/NWSL PA.
"Racing Louisville is committed to positive change that addresses workplace issues, improves our culture and allows athletes to achieve their full potential," officials said. "The club is striving to build an inclusive, safe environment of which players and fans can be proud of."
Lavender Legion President Robin Pryor said Racing Louisville's announcement doesn't go far enough in addressing concerns, and it leaves President James O'Connor in a position of power.
"It just seems like they're adding a buffer and not addressing the issue, or the root cause at all," Pryor said. "I won't speak for anyone else, I'll just say for my opinion, it is the absolute, like, remedial minimum, below the bare minimum, really, to have that separation."
Mayor Greg Fischer, who brought the club to Louisville in 2014, said he knows the announcement isn't enough for the many people who want justice.
"When you're in a situation like this, what you want is the truth, and it never goes far enough until all the truth comes out and accountability takes place for those that violated some type of trust," Fischer said. "And unfortunately that takes time, and we live in a society where they're not very patient."
Pryor said she hopes the club sticks to its promise to cooperate with the joint investigation between the NWSL and NWSL Players Association.
Friday's announcement also stated that Racing Louisville will hold town hall sessions with season ticket holders to share their input.
Pryor said she'd like to believe those meetings will be consistent, but she said even support leadership meetings have fallen off for the past few months because of turnover in the club.
"I want to assume positive intent," Pryor said. "I want to, you know, I really want to take them at their word this time, but you know, you're burned once and you fear the fire a little bit."
In a letter to season ticketholders, Racing Louisville said it hears the community's concerns following the report and that their focus remains on the players.
Officials said hiring a general manager, hiring a new assistant coach to Racing's technical staff and updating the company's anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies are some of the changes they plan to implement.
"It is our hope that these efforts lead to the positive change we all want to see," officials said. "We will listen, learn and act to ensure we maintain the best possible environment for players."
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