NWSL Becomes First Professional Sports League to Implement League-Wide CPR Training Initiative

The National Women's Soccer League has launched a groundbreaking league-wide initiative in partnership with the American Heart Association and Angel City FC defender Savy King to equip all 16 NWSL teams with lifesaving Hands-Only cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automatic external defibrillator education. This comprehensive program will make the NWSL the first American professional sports league to have all players, coaches, and staff trained in these critical emergency response skills.

The initiative, announced during the NWSL Awards ceremonies in San Jose, California, aims to empower the soccer community with the knowledge and confidence to act during cardiac emergencies. According to the American Heart Association, over half of individuals who experience sudden cardiac arrest outside hospitals don't receive immediate CPR, leading to a 90% fatality rate. Learning Hands-Only CPR takes just 90 seconds and can double or triple survival chances, making this training particularly impactful for both sports environments and broader community settings.

NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman emphasized the significance of this commitment, stating that the initiative reflects the league's dedication to player safety, community impact, and leadership in health education. The Hands-Only CPR trainings will be conducted during the 2026 preseason, with certified instructors guiding participants through the chain of survival technique recommended by the American Heart Association, which involves calling 911 and performing chest compressions at the proper rate and depth.

As part of this comprehensive effort, the NWSL is launching a new player ambassador program featuring one representative from each team who will serve as CPR awareness advocates both on and off the field. The program will be led by Savy King, whose personal commitment to heart health education inspired her to establish the Savy King of Hearts foundation. King expressed pride in partnering with the NWSL and American Heart Association to ensure that players, fans, and family members know how to respond effectively during cardiac emergencies.

The American Heart Association, which has been the global leader in CPR education and training for more than 60 years, sees this partnership as a significant step toward its goal of doubling survival rates of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by 2030. Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, highlighted the critical importance of bystander CPR, noting that immediate action can mean the difference between life and death during cardiac emergencies. The organization provides extensive resources for CPR education at https://www.heart.org/nation.

This initiative builds on existing collaboration between the American Heart Association and NWSL through the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, which advocates for evidence-based public policies to prevent fatal outcomes from cardiac arrest among high school students. With nearly three out of four cardiac arrests occurring in homes and approximately 40% of the 23,000 annual cardiac events among children under 18 occurring in student-athletes, this training has far-reaching implications beyond the soccer field. The player ambassador program will include social media campaigns and public service announcements throughout the 2026 season, amplifying the message that anyone can save a life with proper training and immediate action.