🔗 Share this article

On late October, ACFC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her initial social media statement in nearly two years. Within her message, she responded to news that the National Women's Soccer League had discreetly dropped its inclusion policy for transgender and intersex athletes, leaving the league's future stance undecided.

The next day, her writing was shared completely by a different publication, giving it broader exposure.

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

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

Examining the Real Risk

It's unclear how Eddy believes the league's integrity has been harmed—whether under its previous guidelines that permitted transgender players or its current lack of one. The league, now in its thirteenth year, has developed a distinct brand. It's extremely contested, commercially and culturally powerful, and an integral part of the global women's soccer scene.

The league's momentum seems mostly strong—viewership have increased every season, and expansion to 16 teams is planned for the coming years.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy references the English FA's recent ban on transgender athletes as a success story. However, that ban is believed to affect only 20 or so amateur participants out of 5.5 million registered athletes. The effect in the United States would likely be equally negligible.

Two years ago, when the NWSL's trans inclusion policy took effect, there were a couple transgender athletes: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no openly transgender athletes presently compete in the league. On the current season's first matchdays, the NWSL welcomed its 1,000th player. That's just two out trans players out of over 1,000 in the NWSL's existence.

Unfounded Fears and Actual Damage

The article is written as if there is a pipeline of transgender athletes set to take over the league at a moment's notice. This is not the case. At present, there are no out trans players competing at a elite level in the US. National laws explicitly prohibits transgender athletes from participating in university sports. Additionally, multiple peer-reviewed research have demonstrated that transgender players have no biological advantages over cisgender competitors.

Without of out trans people, discriminatory behavior have persisted along ethnic divisions. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she faced a surge of online abuse. The NWSL was slow to respond in supporting their star player. Similarly, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable abuse.

“That article does not represent for this team in our dressing room,” team leader Sarah Gorden informed reporters. “We disagree with the things written for a plethora of causes, but mostly the implications come across as transphobic and prejudiced as well.”

Additional Urgent Problems Facing the League

Even if one were to overlook all that and believe that including transgender athletes represents a real problem for the league, it's hard to see how it would outrank any number of other issues that have actually blunted the league's momentum and compromised its integrity.

• Employment standards for professionals continue to be a concern. 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 stop discrimination.
• Athlete welfare is another issue. In May, a player Savy King collapsed on the pitch, requiring urgent care. The match continued, despite players were clearly distraught. The NWSLPA called on the league to review their medical protocols.
• Extreme weather guidelines have also been challenged. During a nationally televised match, the league head reportedly warned to penalize a team over a disagreement in hot weather policies.
• Economic rivalry from leagues abroad like the WSL is growing, attracting top talent 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 unlikely they will, regardless of whether the proposed changes are implemented.