By 3:20 p.m. on the day The Athletic's report was published, the North Carolina Courage released its own statement, announcing that Riley had been fired. Riley's coaching licence, which is the highest possible in the United States, was also suspended by US Football.
At the same time, Baird released a statement saying she was "shocked and disgusted" to read the allegations against Riley that morning. However, according to The Athletic's report, both Shim and Farrelly had emailed Baird directly earlier in the spring, asking that the complaint from 2015 be reviewed under the NWSL's new anti-harassment policy.