Why did Angel City get fined $200K and docked three points? Explaining multiple NWSL salary cap violations

After an investigation into salary cap violations, the National Women's Soccer League has issued multiple disciplinary actions against Angel City FC. In a league release on Thursday, the NWSL issued a $200,000 fine and suspensions to Club President Julie Uhrman and General Manager Angela Hucles Mangano. The club was also docked three points from the 2024 standings. 

The key findings in the investigation include unreported compensation and excess benefits conducted in 2023. The franchise entered into five "side letters" directly with players that were not disclosed to the league. The side deals affected multi-year agreements, and due to the undisclosed benefits, the club exceeded the salary cap by $50,000 for four weeks during the 2024 regular season.

Official disciplinary action

• ACFC will be fined $200,000.
• A deduction of three (3) points from ACFC's 2024 standings, effective immediately.
• Julie Uhrman, President and CEO, and Angela Hucles Mangano, General Manager, are suspended, effective immediately, from conducting duties relating to any player transactions for the remainder of the 2024 calendar year.

A new ownership era

The news comes just months after Angel City FC entered into a definitive agreement with Willow Bay and Bob Iger to become new controlling owners. Bay and Iger will acquire controlling stakes in the club, at $250 million enterprise value, setting a new record for the most valuable women's Sports franchise in the world. Bay will serve as the controlling owner for NWSL and represent Angel City on the Board of Governors. Bay and Iger have also committed an additional $50 million toward future club growth.

Angel City was founded in 2020 by actor Natalie Portman, venture capitalist Kara Nortman, and Uhrman -- an entrepreneur previously involved with microconsole gaming. Reddit and 776 founder Alexis Ohanian was the Club's Founding Controlling Owner. Hucles joined the franchise as a founding investor before becoming involved with the organization as an executive.

It is uncertain how the suspension of Urhman and Hucles Mangano will effect their roles with the club moving forward into the 2025 season and beyond. 

What's next

The league stated in its release that they will conduct annual investigations and audits of player spending across clubs to ensure compliance with league rules.

Angel City has now dropped to twelfth place with 19 points on the league table after sitting in eleventh place with 22 points. They are still mathematically in contention for the playoffs but their path forward is considerably more difficult now. They will need to win their remaining games and need help from other teams if they want to reach the eighth-place playoff line. They will face eleventh-place Seattle Reign FC on Friday.