Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
November 19, 2025

NWSL Becomes First US Pro League to Train All Teams in CPR

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Original Source

TLDR

  • The NWSL gains a competitive advantage as the first US pro sports league with all players and staff CPR-trained, enhancing safety protocols and league leadership reputation.
  • The NWSL initiative trains all 16 teams in Hands-Only CPR using the two-step method: call 911 and perform chest compressions at 100-120 beats per minute.
  • This NWSL and American Heart Association partnership creates a safer world by training thousands in lifesaving skills that can double cardiac arrest survival rates.
  • Learning Hands-Only CPR takes just 90 seconds and can triple survival chances, making anyone a potential hero during cardiac emergencies.

Impact - Why it Matters

This initiative addresses a critical public health crisis where immediate CPR can double or triple survival chances during cardiac emergencies. With over half of sudden cardiac arrest victims not receiving bystander CPR and a 90% fatality rate, this training program creates a ripple effect that extends beyond the soccer field into communities and homes. Given that nearly 75% of cardiac arrests occur in residential settings and cardiac events affect thousands of children annually—including student-athletes—this program empowers not just professional athletes but potentially millions of fans and community members with lifesaving skills. The visibility of professional athletes learning and promoting CPR normalizes emergency preparedness and could significantly increase bystander intervention rates nationwide, potentially saving thousands of lives each year.

Summary

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) has announced a groundbreaking partnership with the American Heart Association and defender Savy King to implement comprehensive Hands-Only CPR and AED training across all 16 teams, making it the first American professional sports league to achieve this milestone. The initiative, revealed at the NWSL Awards ceremonies in San Jose and broadcast on ESPN2, will train players, coaches, and staff during the 2026 preseason using certified instructors who will teach the two-step technique recommended by the American Heart Association: calling 911 and performing chest compressions. This effort is part of the broader Smart Heart Sports Coalition, which advocates for evidence-based cardiac emergency policies nationwide.

NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman emphasized the league's commitment to player safety and community impact through this unprecedented health education initiative. The program extends beyond team training to include a new player ambassador program featuring one representative from each club who will serve as CPR awareness advocates both on and off the field. Savy King, who launched her Savy King of Hearts foundation to promote heart health education, will lead this ambassador program, leveraging her passion for community engagement to amplify the message that "anyone can be a hero with just two hands." The initiative will include social media campaigns and public service announcements throughout the 2026 season, reaching fans and communities nationwide.

The urgency of this training is underscored by American Heart Association statistics showing that over half of sudden cardiac arrest victims outside hospitals don't receive immediate CPR, leading to a 90% fatality rate. Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, highlighted how this partnership supports their goal of building a "Nation of Lifesavers" and doubling survival rates of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by 2030. With nearly three-quarters of cardiac arrests occurring in homes and approximately 23,000 children under 18 experiencing cardiac events annually—40% among student-athletes—this initiative represents a critical step in addressing a leading cause of death. The American Heart Association, as the global leader in CPR education for over 60 years, provides comprehensive resources through their website and the Smart Heart Sports Coalition to support this lifesaving mission.

Source Statement

This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, NWSL Becomes First US Pro League to Train All Teams in CPR

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