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During the end of October, Angel City FC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her first online post in almost two years. Within her message, she addressed news that the NWSL had discreetly abandoned its inclusion policy for trans and intersex players, making the organization's position undecided.

The next day, her writing was shared in full by another publication, providing wider exposure.

“I worry that without clarity about who the league is for, it will lose its character and its momentum,” Eddy wrote.

The article broadly advocated for a prohibition on transgender players from the NWSL to preserve “the integrity of female athletics.”

Examining the Real Risk

It's unclear how Eddy believes the NWSL's integrity has been damaged—whether under its former policy that permitted trans athletes or its current absence of policy. The league, now in its 13th season, has developed a distinct identity. It's extremely contested, commercially and culturally powerful, and an integral part of the global female football scene.

Its growth trajectory appears mostly strong—viewership have grown every season, and growth to 16 teams is planned for the coming years.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy cites the English FA's recent ban on trans players as a positive example. However, that restriction is believed to affect only 20 or so amateur participants out of millions soccer players. The effect in the US would likely be similarly minimal.

In 2021, when the league's trans inclusion policy took effect, there were two trans players: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no out trans players currently compete in the NWSL. On the current season's first matchdays, the NWSL celebrated its 1,000th player. That's just two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in league history.

Unfounded Fears and Real Harm

Eddy's piece is framed as if there is a pipeline of transgender athletes set to take over the NWSL imminently. This is not the case. There are currently no out trans players playing at a professional level in the US. National laws explicitly bans trans players from competing in university sports. Moreover, numerous peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated that trans athletes have no biological advantages over cisgender competitors.

Without of out trans people, discriminatory behavior have continued along ethnic divisions. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was awarded a top honor, she faced a surge of online abuse. The NWSL was painfully slow in defending their key athlete. Likewise, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced similar abuse.

“That article does not represent for this team in our dressing room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden informed reporters. “We don't agree with the content for a multitude of reasons, but primarily the undertones come across as discriminatory against trans people and racist as well.”

Other Pressing Issues Facing the NWSL

Even if one were to overlook these points and think that including transgender athletes represents a real problem for the league, it's hard to see how it would surpass any number of different challenges that have truly hindered the league's momentum and compromised its reputation.

• Working conditions for staff remain a problem. Several ex- San Diego Wave employees are taking legal action against the club and the NWSL, alleging bias based on race and ability, unwanted advances, and negligence to stop discrimination.
• Player care is another area of concern. In May, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the pitch, requiring emergency medical treatment. On-field play continued, despite teammates were clearly upset. The players' association called on the league to revisit their medical protocols.
• Severe climate protocols have also been questioned. During a broadcast match, the NWSL commissioner allegedly threatened to penalize a team over a disagreement in extreme heat procedures.
• Economic rivalry from leagues abroad like the WSL is increasing, luring top talent away from the NWSL and country where they made their careers.

Transgender players did not factor into any one of these challenges. And it's improbable they will, irrespective of whether the proposed changes come to pass.