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On the end of October, Angel City FC athlete Elizabeth Eddy made her initial online statement in almost two years. Within her message, she addressed reports that the NWSL had discreetly dropped its inclusion policy for transgender and intersex athletes, leaving the league's future stance undecided.

The following day, her writing was republished in full by another media outlet, giving it wider attention.

“I'm concerned that lacking clear guidelines about who the league is for, it will lose its identity and its momentum,” Eddy wrote.

The article broadly advocated for a prohibition on trans athletes from the league to protect “the integrity of women's sports.”

Examining the Actual Threat

It remains uncertain how Eddy believes the NWSL's credibility has been harmed—either under its previous guidelines that permitted transgender players or its present lack of one. The league, now in its thirteenth year, has established a distinct brand. It's extremely contested, commercially and culturally powerful, and an integral part of the global female football landscape.

The league's momentum seems mostly fine—viewership have grown every season, and expansion to 16 teams is scheduled for the coming years.

Examining the Data

Eddy cites the Football Association's recent ban on trans players as a positive example. Yet, that ban is believed to impact only 20 or so amateur participants out of 5.5 million registered athletes. The impact in the United States would likely be equally minimal.

Two years ago, when the league's trans inclusion policy took effect, there were a couple transgender athletes: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no openly transgender athletes currently play in the NWSL. On the current season's first matchdays, the league celebrated its thousandth participant. That's only two out trans players out of more than a thousand in the NWSL's existence.

Unfounded Concerns and Actual Harm

Eddy's piece is framed as if there is a stream of transgender athletes set to take over the league imminently. There is no such thing. At present, there are no out trans players competing at a elite level in the US. Federal legislation explicitly bans trans players from participating in NCAA college soccer. Moreover, multiple peer-reviewed research have demonstrated that transgender players have no biological advantages over cis athletes.

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

“The piece does not represent for this team in this locker room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden informed reporters. “We disagree with the things written for a plethora of reasons, but mostly the undertones come across as discriminatory against trans people and racist as well.”

Other Pressing Issues Confronting the League

Even if one were to ignore these points and believe that including transgender athletes represents a genuine issue for the NWSL, it's hard to see how it would outrank multiple of different challenges that have actually hindered the growth and compromised its integrity.

• Employment standards for professionals continue to be a concern. Several ex- club employees are suing the club and the league, alleging bias based on race and ability, sexual harassment, and negligence to stop prejudice.
• Athlete welfare is a further area of concern. In spring, a player Savy King fell on the pitch, requiring urgent care. On-field play continued, even though teammates were visibly upset. The NWSLPA called on the league to revisit their medical protocols.
• Extreme weather guidelines have also been challenged. During a nationally televised match, the league head allegedly warned to fine a team over a dispute in hot weather policies.
• Economic rivalry from leagues abroad like the WSL is growing, attracting top talent away from the NWSL and country where they made their careers.

Trans athletes were not involved into a single one of these challenges. And it's improbable they will, irrespective of whether the proposed changes are implemented.