Female Football Faces Serious Threats, So Why the Panic About Transgender Players?

During late October, ACFC player Elizabeth Eddy made her initial social media statement in nearly two years. Within her message, she responded to news that the NWSL had discreetly abandoned its inclusion policy for transgender and intersex players, leaving the organization's position undecided.

The following day, her writing was shared in full by another publication, giving it wider exposure.

“I'm concerned that without clarity about who the league is for, it will lose its identity and its growth,” stated Eddy.

Her piece broadly advocated for a ban on transgender players from the league to preserve “the integrity of women's sports.”

Questioning the Actual Threat

It remains uncertain how Eddy thinks the league's integrity has been harmed—whether under its former policy that allowed trans athletes or its current absence of policy. The league, now in its 13th season, has established a clear identity. It's highly competitive, commercially and culturally powerful, and an integral part of the global women's soccer landscape.

Its growth trajectory seems mostly fine—audience numbers have grown each year, and expansion to sixteen clubs is scheduled for the coming years.

Analyzing the Evidence

Eddy cites the English FA's recent ban on transgender athletes as a success story. Yet, that ban is thought to affect only approximately twenty grassroots players out of millions soccer players. The effect in the United States would likely be equally negligible.

Two years ago, when the league's policy of inclusion took effect, there were two transgender athletes: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no out trans players currently compete in the league. On the current season's opening weekend, the league celebrated its thousandth player. That's just two out trans players out of more than a thousand in league history.

Baseless Fears and Real Harm

The article is framed as if there is a stream of transgender athletes set to take over the league at a moment's notice. This is not the case. There are currently no out trans players competing at a elite level in the United States. National laws expressly bans trans players from competing in NCAA college soccer. Moreover, numerous peer-reviewed studies have shown that transgender players have no inherent physical edge over cisgender competitors.

Without of out trans people, discriminatory behavior have continued along racial lines. When a club's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she faced a surge of digital harassment. The league was slow to respond in supporting their star player. Likewise, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable mistreatment.

“That article does not represent for this team in our dressing room,” team leader Sarah Gorden informed reporters. “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 Urgent Issues Facing the League

Regardless if one were to ignore these points and think that including transgender athletes represents a real problem for the NWSL, it's difficult to see how it would outrank any number of different challenges that have actually hindered the growth and compromised its reputation.

• Employment standards for professionals remain a problem. Several ex- San Diego Wave employees are suing the club and the league, alleging bias based on race and ability, unwanted advances, and failure to stop discrimination.
• Athlete welfare is a further issue. In May, a player Savy King collapsed on the pitch, requiring urgent care. On-field play continued, even though players were clearly upset. The players' association called on the league to revisit their medical protocols.
• Severe climate guidelines have also been challenged. During a broadcast match, the NWSL commissioner reportedly threatened to fine a club over a disagreement in hot weather policies.
• Economic competition from European leagues like the WSL is increasing, luring some of the NWSL's best players away from the league and country where they made their careers.

Trans athletes did not factor into any one of these challenges. And it's improbable they will, irrespective of whether Eddy's suggestions come to pass.