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On the end of October, Angel City FC player Elizabeth Eddy posted her first online statement in almost two years. Within her message, she responded to reports that the National Women's Soccer League had discreetly abandoned its policy of inclusion for transgender and intersex athletes, making the league's future stance undecided.

The next day, her opinion piece was republished completely by another media outlet, providing broader attention.

“I worry that without clarity about the league's intended participants, it will lose its identity and its growth,” stated Eddy.

Her piece broadly advocated for a ban on trans athletes from the league to protect “the integrity of female athletics.”

Questioning the Actual Risk

It's unclear how Eddy believes the NWSL's credibility has been damaged—whether under its previous guidelines that allowed trans athletes or its current absence of policy. The league, now in its 13th season, has developed a clear identity. It's highly competitive, commercially and culturally powerful, and an essential part of the global women's soccer scene.

Its growth trajectory appears largely strong—viewership have increased each year, and growth to sixteen clubs is scheduled for the coming years.

Analyzing the Data

Eddy cites the English FA's new prohibition on transgender athletes as a success story. However, that restriction is believed to impact only approximately twenty grassroots players out of 5.5 million registered athletes. The effect in the United States would likely be equally minimal.

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

Unfounded Fears and Actual Harm

The article is framed as if there is a stream of transgender athletes set to dominate the league at a moment's notice. There is no such thing. There are currently no openly transgender players competing at a elite level in the United States. National laws explicitly bans transgender athletes from competing in university sports. Additionally, multiple scientifically reviewed research have shown that transgender players have no inherent physical edge over cisgender competitors.

Without of openly transgender individuals, transphobic attacks have continued along ethnic divisions. When a club's Barbra Banda was awarded player of the year, she faced a wave of digital harassment. The NWSL was slow to respond in defending their key athlete. Similarly, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable abuse.

“The piece does not speak for this team in this locker room,” team leader Sarah Gorden told reporters. “We don't agree with the content for a multitude of reasons, but mostly the undertones come across as discriminatory against trans people and racist as well.”

Additional Urgent Problems Facing the NWSL

Even if one were to ignore these points and believe that trans inclusion constitutes a real problem for the league, it's hard to see how it would outrank multiple of other issues that have actually blunted the growth and affected its integrity.

• Working conditions for professionals remain a concern. Six former San Diego Wave employees are taking legal action against the club and the league, alleging bias based on race and ability, sexual harassment, and failure to stop prejudice.
• Player care is another issue. In May, a player Savy King collapsed on the field, requiring emergency medical treatment. The match continued, despite players were visibly upset. The players' association called on the NWSL to review their health procedures.
• Severe climate protocols have additionally been questioned. During a broadcast match, the league head reportedly threatened to penalize a club over a dispute in extreme heat procedures.
• Financial competition from leagues abroad like the WSL is growing, luring top talent away from the league and nation where they made their careers.

Trans athletes were not involved into a single one of these challenges. And it's improbable they will, regardless of whether Eddy's suggestions are implemented.