NWSL Commissioner Jeff Plush has "stepped down" to "pursue new opportunities" after two seasons leading the league, according to Maria Torres of the K.C. STAR. Plush "oversaw the league's expansion" as it added the Orlando Pride for the '16 season. He also "aided in the sale of the Western New York Flash to North Carolina FC after the Flash won the NWSL championship in October." The NWSL has "already begun a national search for his replacement" (K.C. STAR, 3/3). EXCELLE SPORTS' Celia Balf noted Plush was most recently "part of a three-year partnership between the league and A+E Networks, which includes a broadcast deal with Lifetime and a new multimedia platform known as NWSL Media" (EXCELLESPORTS.com, 3/2). In Houston, Corey Roepken notes the NWSL next month will begin its fifth season, which is "significant because two previous attempts to build a professional women's soccer league in the United States failed after three seasons." U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati said Plush has been "integral in the stability and rise of NWSL" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 3/3).
