The WPS players’ union “filed a grievance in July that accused” magicJack Owner Dan Borislow of “bullying and threatening players and creating a ‘hostile, oppressive and intimidating work environment,’” according to Steven Goff of the WASHINGTON POST. The union “cited several e-mails attributed to Borislow that were relayed to the players through staff members’ accounts.” The union’s grievance, which was made public after the FIFA Women’s World Cup, “spoke in general terms about the substance of Borislow’s e-mails.” The e-mails “referred to ‘losers’ on the team, called some players ‘socially and family inept’ and banned players from posting updates on Twitter accounts after one particular defeat.” Goff notes the “tone of the e-mails in the grievance is consistent with Borislow’s language in his public comments during the season.” Other teams “were targeted in the e-mails.” One of the messages about the Atlanta Beat read, "Let’s crush this low paid ghetto team this weekend and show that paying your team in food stamps isn’t the right solution either." The union grievance also claimed that Borislow, who coached the team for a period, was “in violation of U.S. Soccer Federation requirements that coaches earn an ‘A’ coaching license within two years of their appointment.” Goff notes “beyond the e-mails, there have also been organizational issues.” Briana Scurry “was fired as general manager after making comments during ESPN’s World Cup coverage” about U.S. national team and magicJack G Hope Solo “that Borislow deemed overly critical.” WPS has moved to "terminate the franchise for breach of contractual obligations." Borislow in response “filed an injunction that would force the league into arbitration.” Borislow said Monday, “I am trying to mend fences with some of the other owners now” (WASHINGTON POST, 8/17).
