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During the end of October, Angel City FC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her first social media post in nearly two years. Within her message, she addressed news that the NWSL had quietly abandoned its inclusion policy for trans and intersex players, making the league's future stance unclear.

The following day, her opinion piece was republished in full by a different media outlet, providing broader exposure.

“I'm concerned that lacking clear guidelines about who the league is for, it will lose its identity and its momentum,” Eddy wrote.

The article broadly advocated for a prohibition on transgender players from the league to preserve “the fairness of women's sports.”

Examining the Actual Risk

It's unclear how Eddy thinks the league's integrity has been harmed—whether under its previous guidelines that permitted transgender players or its present absence of policy. The organization, now in its 13th season, has established a clear brand. It's highly competitive, influential in business and culture, and an integral part of the worldwide female football scene.

Its growth trajectory seems mostly fine—audience numbers have grown every season, and growth to sixteen clubs is planned for the coming years.

Examining the Data

Eddy cites the English FA's recent ban on trans players as a positive example. However, that restriction is thought to impact only 20 or so grassroots players out of 5.5 million registered athletes. The effect in the US would likely be equally minimal.

In 2021, when the league's policy of inclusion took effect, there were a couple trans players: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no out trans players currently compete in the NWSL. On the current season's first matchdays, the league welcomed its 1,000th player. That's just two out trans players out of more than a thousand in the NWSL's existence.

Unfounded Concerns and Actual Harm

The article is framed as if there is a pipeline of trans players ready to take over the league imminently. This is not the case. There are currently no out trans players competing at a elite level in the United States. National laws expressly bans trans players from participating in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, numerous peer-reviewed studies have shown that trans athletes have no inherent physical edge over cis athletes.

Without of out trans people, transphobic attacks have continued along ethnic divisions. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was named a top honor, she experienced a wave of digital harassment. The league was slow to respond in defending their key athlete. Likewise, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced comparable mistreatment.

“The piece does not represent for this team in this locker room,” team leader Sarah Gorden informed reporters. “We disagree with the content for a plethora of causes, but mostly the undertones come across as transphobic and prejudiced as well.”

Additional Urgent Problems Facing the NWSL

Even if one were to ignore these points and believe that including transgender athletes constitutes a genuine issue for the NWSL, it's hard to see how it would surpass multiple of other issues that have truly hindered the league's momentum and affected its integrity.

• Employment standards for professionals continue to be a concern. Six former San Diego Wave employees are taking legal action against the club and the league, alleging racial and disability discrimination, unwanted advances, and negligence to prevent discrimination.
• Player care is a further area of concern. In May, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the field, requiring urgent care. On-field play resumed, even though players were visibly distraught. The players' association called on the NWSL to review their medical protocols.
• Extreme weather protocols have additionally been challenged. During a broadcast match, the league head allegedly warned to fine a team over a disagreement in extreme heat procedures.
• Financial competition from leagues abroad like the Women's Super League is growing, attracting some of the NWSL's best players away from the league and nation where they made their careers.

Trans athletes were not involved into a single one of these issues. And it's unlikely they will, irrespective of whether Eddy's suggestions come to pass.