Jessica Berman

Jessica Berman (born 1977) is an American lawyer who has served as the commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) since 2022.

Early life Berman grew up in a Conservative Jewish family in Brooklyn, New York. where she was an assistant manager of the men's hockey team.

Career After graduating from Fordham, Berman joined the law firm Proskauer Rose as an associate working in the labor and employment department. Over her 13 years with the league, she rose to become the NHL's deputy general counsel and vice president of community development. During Berman's tenure in the NHL, she was viewed as a candidate to eventually become the first female commissioner of a men's professional sports league,

On May 9, 2025, Angel City FC defender Savy King collapsed on the field and had a heart attack, resulting in her needing serious medical attention including an AED and chest compressions on the field. Jessica Berman, as commissioner, did not stop the game and instead required players to continue playing, despite all players, coaches, and announcers being distraught. Berman eventually admitted the game should have stopped and NWSLPA President, Meghann Burke, pushed for the creation of new rules surrounding these medical events.

In the later half of the 2025 season, attention turned to Berman relating to Washington Spirit star Trinity Rodman's upcoming free agency. Berman stated, on more than one occasion, that "We want Trinity in our league and we will fight for her," however when the Spirit proposed a deal that was completely cap-compliant to keep Trinity in the league, Berman unilaterally denied it. This deal is now subject to arbitration and the grievance process as filed by the NWSLPA on Rodman's behalf.

Personal life Jessica Berman lives in Westchester County, New York with her husband and two children. Her family belongs to the Westchester Jewish Center. In 2023, Berman was awarded the David J. Stern Leadership Award by the UJA-Federation of New York.