Ashlyn Harris Claims She Was Only Given $5K Childcare Stipend in Pro Career

Retired soccer star Ashlyn Harris said it was “super hard” to balance motherhood and her professional athletic career.

“You know, we don’t get paid enough money to have full-time childcare and schooling so we can do what we want to do while playing and having the career we want,” Harris, 39, claimed on the Sunday, August 10, episode of the “Sunday Sports Club” podcast. “Now, some teams put in place [certain stipulations so] you can bring your nanny on the trip and will give you an extra flight and hotel.”

She added, “At the time, I lived in New York. I mean, for my kids to go to daycare, it’s not cheap — and you don’t get compensated for all of [these types] of things while you’re training.”

Harris has played for Saint Louis Athletica, Washington Freedom, Western New York Flash, FCR 2001 Duisburg, Washington Spirit, Tyresö FF, Orlando Pride and Gotham FC throughout her pro career. Harris, a former member of the U.S. Women’s National Team, shares children Sloane, 4, and Ocean, 3, with ex-wife Ali Krieger.

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After Harris and fellow soccer star Krieger, 41, welcomed their children, the “Wide Open” podcaster said that they needed to hire extra help while they went to practice and games.

“You have to have nannies [and] you have to have help and you have to make sure you sleep,” she told podcast host Allison Kuch. “Is it possible [to do it all?] Yeah, but you better have a village around you ‘cause you can’t carry the load of the team and a child and yourself and not fail at one of them.”

Ashlyn Harris with kids Sloane and Ocean. Courtesy of Ashlyn Harris/ Instagram

At one point in her career, Harris said she did receive a “$5,000 stipend” from her then-team. (She did not name the squad during the podcast episode.)

“[It] wouldn’t last me two weeks with childcare and school,” Harris alleged. “$5,000? Thanks, but thanks for nothing. It’s absolutely, actually, embarrassing. I mean, at that point, I’m going to be taxed on this [and] you might as well keep it.”

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Harris ultimately decided to retire from pro soccer in 2022 in order to spend more time with Sloane and Ocean.

“I am absolutely obsessed with being a mom,” she said on Sunday’s episode, noting that her kids feed her soul. “I am obsessed with spending time with my kids. I think there is something that money can’t buy, and it’s time. I don’t want to miss a moment of it.”

Harris and Krieger finalized their divorce in January, two years after announcing their separation. They have each moved on with new partners.