Women's Football Confronts Serious Challenges, Yet Why the Panic About Trans Athletes?

During the end of October, Angel City FC player Elizabeth Eddy posted her first online post in nearly two years. Within her message, she addressed news that the NWSL had quietly abandoned its policy of inclusion for trans and intersex players, leaving the organization's future stance undecided.

The next day, her opinion piece was republished in full by another media outlet, providing broader attention.

“I worry that lacking clear guidelines about who the league is for, it will sacrifice its character and its momentum,” Eddy wrote.

The article generally argued for a ban on transgender players from the league to protect “the integrity of women's sports.”

Questioning the Actual Threat

It remains uncertain how Eddy believes the NWSL's credibility has been damaged—whether under its former policy that allowed transgender players or its current absence of policy. The league, now in its 13th season, has developed a clear identity. It's extremely contested, commercially and culturally powerful, and an integral part of the global female football scene.

The league's momentum seems mostly strong—audience numbers have increased each year, and growth to 16 teams is scheduled for the coming years.

Examining the Evidence

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

Two years ago, when the NWSL's policy of inclusion was implemented, there were two trans players: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no openly transgender athletes presently play in the league. On the current season's first matchdays, the NWSL celebrated its 1,000th player. That's only two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in the NWSL's existence.

Baseless Fears and Actual Damage

The article is framed as if there is a stream of transgender athletes ready to dominate the league at a moment's notice. This is not the case. At present, there are no out trans players competing at a professional level in the US. National laws explicitly prohibits transgender athletes from participating in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, numerous peer-reviewed studies have shown that trans athletes have no inherent physical edge over cis athletes.

In the absence of out trans people, transphobic attacks have persisted along racial lines. When a club's Barbra Banda was awarded a top honor, she faced a surge of online abuse. The league was painfully slow in defending their key athlete. Likewise, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced comparable abuse.

“The piece does not represent for this team in this locker room,” team leader Sarah Gorden informed the media. “We don't agree with the content for a plethora of reasons, but mostly the implications come across as transphobic and prejudiced as well.”

Additional Urgent Issues Confronting the NWSL

Even if one were to ignore these points and believe that trans inclusion represents a genuine issue for the league, it's difficult to see how it would outrank any number of different challenges that have truly hindered the league's momentum and compromised its integrity.

• Working conditions for staff continue to be a concern. Several ex- club employees are suing the team and the league, alleging racial and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, and failure to stop discrimination.
• Player care is a further issue. In spring, a player Savy King collapsed on the field, requiring urgent care. The match continued, even though teammates were visibly distraught. The NWSLPA called on the NWSL to revisit their health procedures.
• Severe climate protocols have additionally been questioned. During a broadcast match, the league head reportedly threatened to fine a club over a dispute in hot weather policies.
• Financial competition from leagues abroad like the WSL is increasing, luring top talent away from the NWSL and country where they built their professional lives.

Transgender players did not factor into any one of these challenges. And it's unlikely they will, regardless of whether the proposed changes are implemented.