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On the end of October, ACFC athlete Elizabeth Eddy made her first social media post in almost two years. Within her message, she addressed reports that the NWSL had quietly dropped its policy of inclusion for transgender and intersex players, making the organization's position undecided.

The following day, her opinion piece was shared completely by a different media outlet, providing broader attention.

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

The article broadly advocated for a ban on trans athletes from the NWSL to preserve “the integrity of female athletics.”

Questioning the Real Threat

It's unclear how Eddy believes the NWSL's credibility has been harmed—either under its previous guidelines that permitted transgender players or its current lack of one. The organization, now in its 13th season, has developed a clear brand. It's extremely contested, commercially and culturally powerful, and an essential part of the worldwide female football landscape.

The league's momentum appears mostly strong—viewership have grown each year, and growth to 16 teams is scheduled for the coming years.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy references the English FA's recent ban on trans players as a success story. However, that ban is thought to affect only 20 or so grassroots players out of millions registered athletes. The impact in the United States would likely be similarly negligible.

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

Unfounded Fears and Real Harm

The article is written as if there is a stream of trans players set to take over the league imminently. This is not the case. At present, there are no openly transgender players playing at a elite level in the United States. National laws explicitly prohibits trans players from participating in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, numerous peer-reviewed studies have shown that trans athletes have no biological advantages over cis athletes.

Without of out trans people, transphobic attacks have continued along ethnic divisions. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was awarded a top honor, she experienced a surge of online abuse. The NWSL was slow to respond in defending their star player. Similarly, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced similar mistreatment.

“That article does not speak for this team in this locker room,” team leader Sarah Gorden told the media. “We disagree with the things written for a multitude of causes, but mostly the undertones come across as transphobic and prejudiced as well.”

Additional Urgent Issues Facing the League

Even if one were to overlook these points and think that including transgender athletes constitutes a genuine issue for the league, it's hard to see how it would surpass multiple of other issues that have actually hindered the league's momentum and affected its reputation.

• Employment standards for professionals continue to be a concern. Several ex- San Diego Wave employees are suing the club and the NWSL, alleging racial and disability discrimination, unwanted advances, and negligence to prevent prejudice.
• Athlete welfare is another area of concern. In May, Angel City defender Savy King collapsed on the pitch, requiring emergency medical treatment. The match continued, even though players were visibly distraught. The players' association called on the league to revisit their medical protocols.
• Severe climate protocols have also been challenged. During a broadcast match, the NWSL commissioner allegedly threatened to penalize a club over a dispute in hot weather policies.
• Financial rivalry from European leagues like the WSL is growing, luring top talent away from the league and country 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.