The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) announced a landmark initiative at the NWSL Awards ceremony in San Jose, California, to equip all 16 teams with Hands-Only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automatic external defibrillator (AED) education. The program, led by Angel City FC defender Savy King and the American Heart Association, will train every player, coach, and staff member during the 2026 preseason. This commitment makes the NWSL the first American professional sports league to implement such league-wide training.
"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. "Thanks to the leadership of the NWSL and to Savy King for championing this effort to help people understand just how critical it is to be prepared to act. This work will save lives as we continue to build a Nation of Lifesavers."
The training focuses on the two-step technique: calling 911 and pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest. According to the American Heart Association, over half of individuals who experience sudden cardiac arrest outside hospitals do not receive immediate CPR, leading to a 90% fatality rate. Learning Hands-Only CPR takes just 90 seconds and can double or triple survival chances.
"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," said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. "This initiative reflects our commitment to player safety, community impact, and leadership in health education."
As part of the initiative, the NWSL is launching a player ambassador program, with one representative from each team serving as a CPR awareness advocate. The program will be led by Savy King, who founded the Savy King of Hearts foundation to raise awareness about heart health and CPR education. "What happened on the pitch inspired me to launch my foundation... I'm so proud to team up with the NWSL and the American Heart Association to make sure every player, fan, and family member knows how to respond in a crisis," King said.
The American Heart Association and the NWSL have collaborated since 2023 as part of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, advocating for all 50 states to adopt evidence-based policies to prevent fatal outcomes from cardiac arrest among high school students. According to the American Heart Association, more than 23,000 children under 18 experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital annually, with about 40% occurring among student-athletes.
With nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests outside of hospitals occurring in homes, knowing how to perform CPR is critically important. The initiative will include social media campaigns and public service announcements throughout the 2026 season, amplifying the message that anyone can be a hero with just two hands. To learn Hands-Only CPR, visit www.heart.org/nation.
