Jill Ellis leaves San Diego Wave for FIFA role

Jill Ellis is leaving her role as president of the NWSL's San Diego Wave to become FIFA's chief football officer, the sport's international federation announced Tuesday.

Ellis led the Wave during its first three seasons as an expansion franchise after coaching the U.S. women's national team to World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019.

Ellis, 58, will help FIFA develop and implement its global football strategy, per CBS Sports. She will work with former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, FIFA's current chief of global football development.

"I am honored to join FIFA in this pioneering role and to contribute to the growth of football from a global perspective," Ellis said in a statement.

"FIFA has a unique ability, through football, to unite communities and to drive the game's development worldwide. Having experienced football, from grassroots programs up to senior national-team level, I've seen firsthand its transformative power."

Ellis remains the winningest coach in U.S. women's national team history (106-7-19) and twice won FIFA women's coach of the year.

She became the Wave's president ahead of its inaugural season in 2022 but encountered multiple legal battles during her tenure.

Ellis filed a defamation suit in July against a former Wave employee who accused her of abusive behavior and creating a toxic work environment. An earlier investigation carried out by a third party found the Wave had not violated any league rules.

In October, five former Wave players sued the team and the NWSL -- but not Ellis -- on claims including sexual harassment and racial discrimination.

The team was sold in March for $120 million to the Leichtman-Levine family.

"Under Jill's leadership, the Wave set a standard of excellence as an expansion club in the NWSL. The new owners of the club are committed to building a culture of winning on and off the pitch," San Diego Wave FC owner Lauren Leichtman said in a statement.

--Field Level Media