Women's Football Confronts Significant Challenges, Yet Why the Panic About Trans Players?

During the end of October, Angel City FC athlete Elizabeth Eddy made her initial online statement in almost two years. In it, she addressed news that the National Women's Soccer League had discreetly abandoned its policy of inclusion for trans and intersex athletes, leaving the organization's position undecided.

The next day, her writing was shared in full by a different media outlet, giving it wider attention.

“I'm concerned that without clarity about the league's intended participants, it will lose its identity and its momentum,” Eddy wrote.

The article generally argued for a ban on transgender players from the league to protect “the fairness of female athletics.”

Questioning the Actual Threat

It remains uncertain how Eddy believes the NWSL's integrity has been harmed—whether 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 identity. It's highly competitive, influential in business and culture, and an essential part of the worldwide women's soccer landscape.

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

Examining the Evidence

Eddy references the English FA's new prohibition on trans players as a success story. However, that restriction is thought to affect only approximately twenty amateur players out of millions registered athletes. The effect in the US would likely be equally minimal.

In 2021, 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 currently play in the league. On the current season's first matchdays, the NWSL welcomed its thousandth player. That's only two out trans players out of over 1,000 in league history.

Unfounded Fears and Actual Harm

Eddy's piece is written as if there is a stream of transgender athletes set to dominate the NWSL imminently. There is no such thing. There are currently no out trans players competing at a elite level in the United States. Federal legislation expressly bans transgender athletes from participating in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, numerous scientifically reviewed research have shown that trans athletes have no inherent physical edge over cis athletes.

Without of out trans people, transphobic attacks have persisted along ethnic divisions. When a club's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she experienced a surge of online abuse. The NWSL was painfully slow in defending their key athlete. Likewise, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced similar abuse.

“That article does not represent for this team in this locker room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden informed the media. “We don't agree with the content for a plethora of reasons, but primarily the undertones come across as discriminatory against trans people and prejudiced as well.”

Additional Pressing Problems Facing the League

Even if one were to ignore all that and think that trans inclusion represents a real problem for the league, it's hard to see how it would outrank multiple of other issues that have actually hindered the growth and compromised its integrity.

• Working conditions for professionals remain a problem. Six former San Diego Wave employees are taking legal action against the team and the NWSL, alleging racial and disability discrimination, unwanted advances, and negligence to stop prejudice.
• Player care is another issue. In May, a player Savy King collapsed on the field, requiring urgent care. The match resumed, despite players were visibly distraught. The NWSLPA called on the NWSL to revisit their medical protocols.
• Severe climate guidelines have also been challenged. During a broadcast match, the NWSL commissioner reportedly warned to penalize a team over a dispute in hot weather policies.
• Financial rivalry from European leagues like the WSL is increasing, attracting some of the NWSL's best players away from the NWSL and country where they made their careers.

Trans athletes were not involved into any one of these issues. And it's improbable they will, regardless of whether Eddy's suggestions are implemented.