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On late October, Angel City FC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her first online post in nearly two years. Within her message, she addressed reports that the National Women's Soccer League had quietly dropped its inclusion policy for transgender and intersex athletes, making the organization's position undecided.

The following day, her writing was shared in full by another publication, giving it wider exposure.

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

Her piece generally argued for a prohibition on trans athletes from the NWSL to preserve “the fairness of female athletics.”

Examining the Real Risk

It remains uncertain how Eddy thinks the NWSL's credibility has been harmed—either under its previous guidelines that allowed transgender players or its current lack of one. The league, now in its 13th season, has established a distinct brand. It's highly competitive, influential in business and culture, and an essential part of the worldwide female football landscape.

Its growth trajectory appears largely strong—audience numbers have increased every season, and expansion to sixteen clubs is planned for the coming years.

Analyzing the Evidence

Eddy cites the Football Association's new prohibition on transgender athletes as a success story. However, that ban is believed to affect only 20 or so grassroots players out of millions registered athletes. The impact in the United States would likely be similarly negligible.

In 2021, when the league's trans inclusion policy was implemented, there were a couple trans players: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no out trans players presently play in the league. On the current season's opening weekend, the league welcomed its thousandth participant. That's only two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in the NWSL's existence.

Unfounded Fears and Actual Damage

Eddy's piece is written as if there is a stream of trans players ready to dominate the league imminently. This is not the case. At present, there are no out trans players competing at a elite level in the United States. National laws expressly prohibits transgender athletes from competing in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, numerous scientifically reviewed studies have shown that trans athletes have no biological advantages over cis athletes.

Without of openly transgender individuals, discriminatory behavior have persisted along racial lines. When a club's Barbra Banda was named a top honor, she faced a surge of digital harassment. The NWSL was slow to respond in supporting their star player. Likewise, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable mistreatment.

“That article does not represent for this team in our dressing room,” team leader Sarah Gorden told the media. “We disagree with the content for a plethora of causes, but mostly the undertones come across as transphobic and prejudiced as well.”

Other Pressing Issues Confronting the League

Even if one were to overlook all that and think that trans inclusion constitutes a real problem for the league, it's hard to see how it would surpass any number of different challenges that have truly blunted the league's momentum and affected its integrity.

• Working conditions for staff remain 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 stop prejudice.
• Player care is a further issue. In May, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the field, requiring urgent care. On-field play continued, despite players were clearly upset. The players' association called on the league to revisit their medical protocols.
• Extreme weather guidelines have also been questioned. During a broadcast match, the NWSL commissioner allegedly threatened to fine a club over a disagreement in extreme heat procedures.
• Financial competition from European leagues like the WSL is growing, luring some of the NWSL's best players away from the league and nation where they built their professional lives.

Trans athletes did not factor into any one of these issues. And it's improbable they will, irrespective of whether Eddy's suggestions come to pass.