Jill Ellis steps down as San Diego Wave president for FIFA role

In December 2024, Jill Ellis, the former head coach of the United States Women's National Team (USWNT), announced her decision to leave her position as president of the San Diego Wave FC to take on a new role as chief football officer at FIFA. Ellis, 58, had held the presidency of the Wave since the team's inception in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in 2021. During her tenure, she guided the club and contributed significantly to its establishment in the competitive landscape of women's soccer in the U.S. Prior to her role with the Wave, Ellis achieved notable success with the USWNT, winning two FIFA Women's World Cups during her coaching period from 2014 to 2019. Her transition into the FIFA role marks a significant shift in her career, as she moves from club management to a position focused on driving football development at a global level. Ellis expressed her enthusiasm about this new challenge, emphasizing the unique ability of FIFA to unite communities through football and the importance of grassroots initiatives in transforming the sport. In her new capacity, she will work closely with Arsene Wenger, FIFA's chief of global football development, who has held that position since 2019. This new role for Ellis is particularly significant as it aims to foster the development and implementation of FIFA’s global football strategy—a task that will inevitably influence the future of the game at all levels. With her extensive experience, Ellis is seen as a valuable asset to FIFA, as commented by FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom. Grafstrom articulated that Ellis’s achievements and her inspiring journey in football make her a worthwhile choice for such an important role. Ellis’s commitment to promoting women’s football and creating new opportunities for future generations is expected to make a long-lasting impact in the world of football. Ellis’s departure from the Wave follows recent controversies surrounding the team, where she and the organization were previously investigated for allegations of discrimination and mistreatment of employees. Although the Wave and Ellis were exonerated in their legal responsibilities, the fallout led to several former staff members filing a lawsuit against the club and the NWSL, claiming discrimination and retaliation. While Ellis is not named in the lawsuit, these developments mark a challenging period for the Wave, coinciding with her transition to FIFA, which may bring new perspectives and initiatives against such issues on a broader scale.