Women's Soccer Faces Significant Threats, Yet Why the Panic About Transgender Athletes?

During late October, Angel City FC player Elizabeth Eddy made her initial social media statement in nearly two years. Within her message, she addressed news that the NWSL had quietly abandoned its policy of inclusion for transgender and intersex players, making the league's position unclear.

The following day, her writing was shared in full by a different publication, providing broader exposure.

“I'm concerned that without clarity about the league's intended participants, it will lose its character and its growth,” stated Eddy.

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

Examining the Actual Risk

It remains uncertain how Eddy thinks the NWSL's integrity has been harmed—whether under its previous guidelines that permitted trans athletes or its current absence of policy. The organization, now in its thirteenth year, has developed a distinct brand. It's extremely contested, influential in business and culture, and an essential part of the worldwide women's soccer scene.

Its growth trajectory appears largely strong—viewership have increased every season, and growth to sixteen clubs is scheduled for 2026.

Examining the Data

Eddy cites the English FA's recent ban on transgender athletes as a success story. Yet, that ban is believed to affect only 20 or so grassroots players out of millions registered athletes. The effect in the US would likely be equally minimal.

In 2021, when the league's trans inclusion policy took effect, there were two transgender athletes: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no openly transgender athletes currently compete in the league. On the current season's first matchdays, the league celebrated its thousandth player. That's only two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in the NWSL's existence.

Unfounded Fears and Actual Harm

Eddy's piece is written as if there is a pipeline of transgender athletes ready to take over the NWSL imminently. This is not the case. At present, there are no out trans players competing at a elite level in the United States. Federal legislation expressly prohibits trans players from participating in university sports. Moreover, numerous peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated that transgender players have no biological advantages over cis athletes.

In the absence of out trans people, transphobic attacks have persisted along ethnic divisions. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was awarded a top honor, she experienced a surge of online abuse. The league was painfully slow in defending their star player. Similarly, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced similar mistreatment.

“That article does not speak for our club in our dressing room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden informed the media. “We don't agree with the content for a multitude of causes, but primarily the undertones come across as discriminatory against trans people and prejudiced as well.”

Other Urgent Problems Confronting the NWSL

Even if one were to ignore all that and believe that including transgender athletes represents a real problem for the league, it's difficult to see how it would surpass any number of other issues that have truly blunted the growth and affected its reputation.

• Working conditions for staff continue to be a concern. Six former club employees are taking legal action against the team and the NWSL, alleging racial and disability discrimination, unwanted advances, and negligence to prevent prejudice.
• Player care is a further issue. In spring, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the pitch, requiring urgent care. The match continued, even though teammates were visibly upset. The players' association called on the NWSL to revisit their health procedures.
• Severe climate protocols have also been challenged. During a broadcast match, the NWSL commissioner allegedly warned to fine a club over a disagreement in extreme heat procedures.
• Financial rivalry from leagues abroad like the Women's Super League is growing, luring top talent away from the league and nation where they made their careers.

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