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During late October, Angel City FC player Elizabeth Eddy made her initial online statement in nearly two years. In it, she responded to news that the National Women's Soccer League had discreetly dropped its inclusion policy for trans and intersex athletes, leaving the organization's future stance undecided.

The following day, her writing was republished in full by a different publication, giving it wider exposure.

“I worry that lacking clear guidelines about who the league is for, it will sacrifice its identity and its growth,” Eddy wrote.

Her piece generally argued for a prohibition on transgender players from the NWSL to preserve “the integrity of women's sports.”

Examining the Actual Risk

It remains uncertain how Eddy believes the NWSL's credibility has been harmed—either under its previous guidelines that permitted transgender players or its current absence of policy. The league, now in its 13th season, has developed a clear brand. It's highly competitive, influential in business and culture, and an integral part of the global women's soccer scene.

The league's momentum seems largely strong—viewership have increased every season, and growth to sixteen clubs is scheduled for the coming years.

Examining the Data

Eddy cites the English FA's new prohibition on trans players as a positive example. However, that ban is believed to impact only 20 or so amateur participants out of millions registered athletes. The impact in the United States would likely be similarly negligible.

In 2021, when the NWSL's trans inclusion policy took effect, there were two trans players: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no openly transgender athletes presently compete in the NWSL. On the current season's opening weekend, the NWSL celebrated its 1,000th participant. That's just two out trans players out of over 1,000 in league history.

Baseless Concerns and Real Damage

The article is written as if there is a stream of trans players ready to dominate the NWSL at a moment's notice. There is no such thing. At present, there are no openly transgender players playing at a elite level in the US. National laws expressly prohibits transgender athletes from competing in NCAA college soccer. Moreover, multiple peer-reviewed research have shown that transgender players have no biological advantages over cisgender competitors.

In the absence of out trans people, discriminatory behavior have persisted along racial lines. When a club's Barbra Banda was named a top honor, she experienced a surge of online abuse. The NWSL was slow to respond in supporting their key athlete. Likewise, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced comparable mistreatment.

“That article does not speak for this team in our dressing room,” team leader Sarah Gorden informed reporters. “We disagree with the content for a multitude of reasons, but mostly the implications come across as discriminatory against trans people and prejudiced as well.”

Additional Urgent Issues Facing the NWSL

Regardless if one were to ignore these points and think that trans inclusion constitutes a real problem for the league, it's hard to see how it would surpass any number of other issues that have actually hindered the league's momentum and compromised its integrity.

• Employment standards for staff remain a concern. Several ex- club employees are suing the club and the league, alleging bias based on race and ability, sexual harassment, and negligence to prevent discrimination.
• Player care is a further area of concern. In May, a player Savy King fell on the field, 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.
• Extreme weather guidelines have additionally been challenged. During a broadcast match, the league head allegedly warned to fine a team over a dispute in extreme heat procedures.
• Economic competition from European leagues like the WSL is increasing, attracting some of the NWSL's best players away from the league and country where they built their professional lives.

Trans athletes were not involved into any one of these challenges. And it's unlikely they will, irrespective of whether the proposed changes are implemented.