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During late October, Angel City FC player Elizabeth Eddy posted her first online post in almost two years. Within her message, she responded to news that the NWSL had quietly abandoned its inclusion policy for transgender and intersex athletes, making the league's future stance undecided.

The next day, her writing was republished completely by another media outlet, giving it broader exposure.

“I worry that without clarity about who the league is for, it will lose its character and its growth,” Eddy wrote.

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

Questioning the Actual Risk

It's unclear how Eddy believes the NWSL's integrity has been damaged—either under its previous guidelines that allowed transgender players or its current lack of one. The organization, now in its thirteenth year, has established a distinct brand. It's extremely contested, influential in business and culture, and an integral part of the global female football scene.

Its growth trajectory appears largely strong—audience numbers have grown each year, and growth to 16 teams is scheduled for the coming years.

Examining the Data

Eddy cites the Football Association's recent ban on transgender athletes as a positive example. Yet, that restriction is believed to impact only approximately twenty amateur players out of 5.5 million soccer players. The effect in the United States would likely be similarly negligible.

Two years ago, when the NWSL's policy of inclusion 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 league. On the current season's first matchdays, the league welcomed its 1,000th participant. That's just two out trans players out of more than a thousand in league history.

Baseless Concerns and Real Damage

The article is written as if there is a stream of trans players ready to take over the league at a moment's notice. There is no such thing. At present, there are no openly transgender players playing at a professional level in the United States. Federal legislation explicitly bans trans players from participating in university sports. Moreover, multiple scientifically reviewed studies have demonstrated that transgender players have no biological advantages over cisgender competitors.

In the absence of openly transgender individuals, discriminatory behavior have continued along ethnic divisions. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was named a top honor, she faced a wave of digital harassment. The NWSL was slow to respond in supporting their star player. Similarly, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable mistreatment.

“That article does not speak for this team in this locker room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden told the media. “We disagree with the content for a multitude of reasons, but primarily the undertones come across as discriminatory against trans people and racist as well.”

Additional Urgent Issues Confronting the League

Even if one were to ignore these points and believe that including transgender athletes represents a real problem for the league, it's difficult to see how it would outrank multiple of other issues that have actually hindered the growth and affected its reputation.

• Working conditions for staff continue to be a problem. Several ex- San Diego Wave employees are suing the team and the NWSL, alleging bias based on race and ability, 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 urgent care. The match continued, even though teammates were visibly upset. The NWSLPA called on the NWSL to revisit their health procedures.
• Severe climate guidelines have also been challenged. During a nationally televised match, the NWSL commissioner reportedly threatened to penalize a club over a disagreement in extreme heat procedures.
• Economic rivalry from leagues abroad like the WSL is increasing, luring top talent away from the league and nation where they made their careers.

Trans athletes were not involved into a single one of these challenges. And it's improbable they will, regardless of whether Eddy's suggestions come to pass.