Women's Football Faces Significant Threats, So Why the Panic About Trans Athletes?
On late October, Angel City FC athlete Elizabeth Eddy made her first online post in almost two years. Within her message, she addressed news that the National Women's Soccer League had quietly abandoned its inclusion policy for trans and intersex athletes, leaving the league's future stance unclear.
The following day, her writing was republished completely by a different media outlet, giving it broader exposure.
“I worry that lacking clear guidelines about the league's intended participants, it will sacrifice its identity and its momentum,” stated Eddy.
Her piece broadly advocated for a ban on trans athletes from the NWSL to protect “the fairness of female athletics.”
Examining the Actual Threat
It remains uncertain how Eddy believes the NWSL's credibility has been harmed—either under its former policy that allowed transgender players or its current lack of one. The league, now in its 13th season, has established a clear brand. It's highly competitive, influential in business and culture, and an integral part of the global female football landscape.
The league's momentum appears largely strong—audience numbers have increased each year, and growth to sixteen clubs is planned for 2026.
Analyzing the Data
Eddy references the English FA's recent ban on transgender athletes as a success story. However, that restriction is believed to affect only approximately twenty amateur players out of 5.5 million soccer players. The impact in the US would likely be equally negligible.
Two years ago, when the league's policy of inclusion took effect, there were a couple trans players: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no out trans players presently play in the league. On the current season's opening weekend, the NWSL welcomed its thousandth player. That's just two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in league history.
Baseless Concerns and Real Damage
The article 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 openly transgender players competing at a professional level in the US. Federal legislation expressly prohibits trans players from participating in university sports. Moreover, numerous scientifically reviewed studies have shown that trans athletes have no biological advantages over cisgender competitors.
Without of out trans people, transphobic attacks have continued along ethnic divisions. When a club's Barbra Banda was awarded player of the year, she faced a wave of online abuse. The league was slow to respond in supporting their star player. Similarly, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced similar mistreatment.
“The piece 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 multitude of reasons, but primarily the undertones come across as discriminatory against trans people and prejudiced as well.”
Additional Pressing Issues Confronting the League
Regardless if one were to overlook all that and believe that trans inclusion represents a genuine issue for the NWSL, it's difficult to see how it would outrank any number of different challenges that have actually blunted the league's momentum and compromised its integrity.
- Working conditions for professionals remain a problem. Several ex- San Diego Wave employees are taking legal action against the team and the NWSL, alleging racial and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, and negligence to prevent prejudice.
- Athlete welfare is another area of concern. In May, a player Savy King fell on the field, requiring emergency medical treatment. On-field play resumed, despite players were visibly upset. The NWSLPA called on the NWSL to revisit their health procedures.
- Extreme weather protocols have additionally been challenged. During a broadcast match, the NWSL commissioner allegedly threatened to fine a club over a disagreement in hot weather policies.
- Financial competition from leagues abroad like the WSL is increasing, luring some of the NWSL's best players away from the NWSL and nation where they built their professional lives.
Transgender players were not involved into any one of these challenges. And it's improbable they will, regardless of whether Eddy's suggestions come to pass.
