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During late October, Angel City FC player Elizabeth Eddy made her first social media statement in almost two years. In it, she addressed reports that the NWSL had discreetly dropped its policy of inclusion for transgender and intersex athletes, leaving the league's future stance undecided.

The next day, her writing was republished in full by a different publication, providing wider attention.

“I worry that lacking clear guidelines about the league's intended participants, it will lose its identity and its momentum,” Eddy wrote.

Her piece broadly advocated for a prohibition on trans athletes from the NWSL to protect “the fairness of female athletics.”

Examining the Actual Risk

It remains uncertain how Eddy believes the NWSL's credibility has been harmed—whether under its former policy that allowed trans athletes or its present absence of policy. The organization, now in its thirteenth year, has established a distinct brand. It's highly competitive, commercially and culturally powerful, and an essential part of the global female football scene.

The league's momentum appears mostly strong—viewership have grown each year, and expansion to 16 teams is scheduled for 2026.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy references the Football Association's recent ban on transgender athletes as a positive example. However, that ban is believed to affect only 20 or so grassroots players out of millions registered athletes. The effect in the United States would likely be equally negligible.

In 2021, when the league's policy of inclusion was implemented, there were a couple trans players: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no out trans players currently compete in the NWSL. On the current season's opening weekend, the league welcomed its thousandth player. That's only two out trans players out of over 1,000 in league history.

Unfounded Concerns and Actual Harm

The article is written as if there is a stream of transgender athletes ready to take over the NWSL imminently. This is not the case. At present, there are no openly transgender players playing at a professional level in the United States. Federal legislation expressly prohibits trans players from participating in NCAA college soccer. Moreover, numerous scientifically reviewed studies have demonstrated that trans athletes have no biological advantages over cisgender competitors.

In the absence of out trans people, transphobic attacks have continued along ethnic divisions. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was awarded a top honor, she experienced a surge of digital harassment. The NWSL was slow to respond in defending their star player. Similarly, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced comparable mistreatment.

“That article does not speak for this team in our dressing room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden told reporters. “We don't agree with the content for a plethora of causes, but primarily the implications come across as transphobic and racist as well.”

Other Pressing Issues Confronting the NWSL

Even if one were to ignore all that and believe that trans inclusion represents a genuine issue for the NWSL, it's difficult to see how it would surpass multiple of different challenges that have actually blunted the growth and affected its reputation.

• Working conditions for staff remain a problem. Several ex- club employees are suing the team and the NWSL, alleging bias based on race and ability, sexual harassment, and negligence to prevent prejudice.
• Player care is a further issue. In spring, a player Savy King fell on the field, requiring emergency medical treatment. The match resumed, even though teammates were clearly distraught. The NWSLPA called on the NWSL to revisit their medical protocols.
• Extreme weather protocols have additionally been questioned. During a broadcast match, the NWSL commissioner allegedly warned to penalize a team over a dispute in hot weather policies.
• Financial competition from leagues abroad like the Women's Super League is increasing, luring some of the NWSL's best players away from the NWSL and country where they made their careers.

Trans athletes did not factor into a single one of these challenges. And it's unlikely they will, regardless of whether the proposed changes are implemented.