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On late October, Angel City FC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her initial online post in nearly two years. In it, she responded to reports that the NWSL had discreetly dropped its policy of inclusion for trans and intersex athletes, leaving the organization's position unclear.

The next day, her opinion piece was republished in full by another publication, giving it wider attention.

“I worry that lacking clear guidelines about who the league is for, it will sacrifice its character and its momentum,” stated Eddy.

Her piece generally argued for a ban on trans athletes from the league to preserve “the fairness of women's sports.”

Questioning the Actual Risk

It's unclear how Eddy thinks the NWSL's integrity has been harmed—either under its former policy that permitted trans athletes or its present lack of one. The organization, now in its thirteenth year, has established a clear identity. It's extremely contested, commercially and culturally powerful, and an integral part of the worldwide women's soccer landscape.

The league's momentum seems mostly fine—audience numbers have increased every season, and growth to sixteen clubs is scheduled for the coming years.

Analyzing the Data

Eddy references the English FA's recent ban on transgender athletes as a success story. However, that ban is thought to affect only approximately twenty amateur participants out of millions soccer players. The effect in the United States would likely be equally negligible.

Two years ago, when the NWSL's policy of inclusion was implemented, there were two transgender athletes: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no out trans players presently compete in the NWSL. On the current season's first matchdays, the league welcomed its thousandth participant. That's just two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in the NWSL's existence.

Baseless Concerns and Real Damage

Eddy's piece is framed as if there is a stream of transgender athletes set to take over the league at a moment's notice. This is not the case. There are currently no out trans players competing at a elite level in the US. Federal legislation explicitly prohibits transgender athletes from participating in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, numerous peer-reviewed research have demonstrated that trans athletes have no biological advantages over cisgender competitors.

In the absence of openly transgender individuals, discriminatory behavior have continued along ethnic divisions. When a club's Barbra Banda was awarded player of the year, she experienced a wave of digital harassment. The league was slow to respond in supporting their key athlete. Similarly, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced comparable mistreatment.

“That article does not represent for our club in our dressing room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden informed reporters. “We disagree with the content for a plethora of causes, but primarily the undertones come across as discriminatory against trans people and racist as well.”

Additional Pressing Issues Confronting the League

Regardless if one were to ignore all that and believe that trans inclusion constitutes a genuine issue for the league, it's difficult to see how it would surpass multiple of other issues that have actually hindered the growth and compromised its reputation.

• Employment standards for staff continue to be a problem. Several ex- club 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.
• Athlete welfare is another area of concern. In May, a player Savy King collapsed on the field, requiring emergency medical treatment. On-field play resumed, even though teammates were clearly upset. The NWSLPA called on the league to revisit their medical protocols.
• Severe climate protocols have additionally been questioned. During a nationally televised match, the NWSL commissioner allegedly threatened to penalize a club over a disagreement in hot weather policies.
• Financial competition from leagues abroad like the WSL is growing, attracting some of the NWSL's best players away from the league and country where they built their professional lives.

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