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During the end of October, ACFC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her initial social media statement in almost two years. In it, she responded to reports that the National Women's Soccer League had quietly abandoned its inclusion policy for trans and intersex players, leaving the league's future stance undecided.

The following day, her opinion piece was shared completely by another publication, giving it broader exposure.

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

Her piece generally argued for a ban on trans athletes from the league to preserve “the integrity of female athletics.”

Questioning the Actual Risk

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

The league's momentum appears mostly strong—audience numbers have grown each year, and expansion to sixteen clubs is scheduled for the coming years.

Analyzing the Data

Eddy cites the English FA's recent ban on transgender athletes as a positive example. Yet, that restriction is believed to affect only 20 or so grassroots participants out of 5.5 million soccer players. The impact in the US would likely be similarly minimal.

In 2021, when the league's trans inclusion policy was implemented, there were two trans players: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no out trans players currently compete in the league. On the current season's first matchdays, the NWSL celebrated its 1,000th participant. That's only two openly transgender individuals out of more than a thousand in the NWSL's existence.

Baseless Concerns and Actual Damage

Eddy's piece is framed as if there is a pipeline of transgender athletes ready to take over the league at a moment's notice. This is not the case. At present, there are no out trans players competing at a professional level in the United States. National laws explicitly prohibits transgender athletes from participating in NCAA college soccer. Moreover, numerous scientifically reviewed research have shown that transgender players have no biological advantages over cisgender competitors.

In the absence of openly transgender individuals, transphobic attacks have persisted along racial lines. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she faced a wave of online abuse. The league was painfully slow in defending their key athlete. Similarly, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced similar abuse.

“The piece does not speak for this team in our dressing room,” team leader Sarah Gorden informed the media. “We disagree with the things written for a multitude of reasons, but mostly the implications come across as transphobic and prejudiced as well.”

Other Pressing Problems Facing the NWSL

Even if one were to overlook all that and believe that including transgender athletes constitutes a real problem for the NWSL, it's hard to see how it would surpass multiple of different challenges that have truly blunted the league's momentum and compromised its reputation.

• Employment standards for professionals remain a problem. Six former San Diego Wave employees are suing the club and the league, alleging bias based on race and ability, sexual harassment, and failure to stop discrimination.
• Player care is another area of concern. In May, Angel City defender Savy King collapsed on the field, requiring emergency medical treatment. On-field play continued, despite players were clearly distraught. The NWSLPA called on the NWSL to review their medical protocols.
• Severe climate guidelines have also been challenged. During a broadcast match, the NWSL commissioner reportedly warned to fine a club over a dispute in hot weather policies.
• Financial rivalry from leagues abroad like the WSL is increasing, attracting 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 a single one of these challenges. And it's improbable they will, irrespective of whether the proposed changes come to pass.