The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) announced a league-wide initiative to train all players, coaches, and staff from its 16 teams in Hands-Only CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) use. The effort, led by Angel City FC defender Savy King in partnership with the American Heart Association (AHA), was unveiled at the NWSL Awards ceremony in San Jose, California, and broadcast on ESPN2. This makes the NWSL the first American professional sports league to require such training for all team personnel.
According to the AHA, more than half of individuals who experience sudden cardiac arrest outside a hospital do not receive immediate CPR, resulting in a 90% fatality rate. Hands-Only CPR, which involves calling 911 and pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest, can double or triple survival chances. The training sessions are scheduled for the 2026 preseason and will be conducted by certified instructors.
"When someone has a sudden cardiac arrest, immediate CPR can mean the difference between life and death," said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, in a news release. "Thanks to the leadership of the NWSL and to Savy King for championing this effort... This work will save lives as we continue to build a Nation of Lifesavers."
The initiative also includes a player ambassador program, with one representative from each team serving as a CPR awareness advocate. Savy King, who launched her foundation Savy King of Hearts, will lead the program. "What happened on the pitch inspired me to launch my foundation to raise awareness about heart health and CPR education," King said. "It's simple, powerful, and it can make all the difference. This is more than just a training—it's about saving lives." Ambassadors will participate in social media campaigns and public service announcements throughout the 2026 season.
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman emphasized the league's commitment to player safety and community impact. "We're proud to be the first professional sports league to implement CPR training at this scale by training both those on the field and on the sidelines," she said. The league has been collaborating with the AHA since 2023 as part of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, which advocates for policies to prevent fatal cardiac arrests among high school students.
The AHA notes that nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests outside hospitals occur at home, making bystander CPR critical. With more than 23,000 children under 18 experiencing cardiac arrest annually—about 40% among student-athletes—the initiative aims to empower communities. The AHA's Nation of Lifesavers campaign seeks to double survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by 2030.
"This initiative reflects our commitment to player safety, community impact and leadership in health education," Berman added. The league's effort underscores the importance of preparedness, as learning Hands-Only CPR takes just 90 seconds. The AHA provides resources at heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR for those who want to learn the lifesaving skill.
