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During late October, ACFC player Elizabeth Eddy posted her initial social media statement in almost two years. Within her message, she addressed news that the NWSL had quietly abandoned its inclusion policy for trans and intersex athletes, leaving the organization's position unclear.

The next day, her opinion piece was republished in full by another publication, providing broader exposure.

“I worry that lacking clear guidelines about who the league is for, it will lose its identity and its growth,” Eddy wrote.

The article generally argued for a ban on trans athletes from the NWSL to protect “the fairness of female athletics.”

Examining the Real Threat

It's unclear how Eddy thinks the league's integrity has been harmed—either under its previous guidelines that permitted trans athletes or its current absence of policy. The league, now in its thirteenth year, has established a clear brand. It's extremely contested, commercially and culturally powerful, and an integral part of the global female football landscape.

Its growth trajectory appears mostly strong—audience numbers have grown every season, and growth to 16 teams is planned for 2026.

Examining the Data

Eddy cites the Football Association's new prohibition on transgender athletes as a success story. However, that restriction is thought to impact only approximately twenty amateur players out of 5.5 million soccer players. The effect in the US would likely be equally minimal.

Two years ago, when the NWSL's policy of inclusion was implemented, there were a couple transgender athletes: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no out trans players presently compete in the league. On the current season's opening weekend, the NWSL celebrated its thousandth player. That's only two out trans players out of more than a thousand in the NWSL's existence.

Unfounded Fears and Real Harm

The article is framed as if there is a stream of transgender athletes ready to take over the league at a moment's notice. There is no such thing. At present, there are no openly transgender players competing at a elite level in the US. Federal legislation explicitly bans trans players from competing in university sports. Additionally, multiple peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated that transgender players have no biological advantages over cis athletes.

Without of openly transgender individuals, discriminatory behavior have persisted along racial lines. When a club's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, 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 have experienced comparable mistreatment.

“The piece does not speak for this team in our dressing room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden told the media. “We don't agree with the content for a multitude of reasons, but primarily the implications come across as transphobic and prejudiced as well.”

Other Pressing Problems Facing the NWSL

Even if one were to ignore these points and think that including transgender athletes represents a real problem for the league, it's hard to see how it would outrank any number of different challenges that have actually hindered the growth and affected its integrity.

• Working conditions for staff remain a concern. Six former club employees are suing the team and the NWSL, alleging bias based on race and ability, unwanted advances, and failure to prevent discrimination.
• Athlete welfare is another area of concern. In spring, a player Savy King fell on the field, requiring urgent care. The match continued, despite players were clearly distraught. The NWSLPA called on the NWSL to revisit their health procedures.
• Extreme weather protocols have also been questioned. During a nationally televised match, the NWSL commissioner reportedly threatened to fine a team over a dispute in hot weather policies.
• Financial rivalry from European leagues like the WSL is increasing, luring top talent away from the league and nation where they built their professional lives.

Trans athletes were not involved into any one of these issues. And it's unlikely they will, regardless of whether the proposed changes come to pass.