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On late October, ACFC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her first online statement in nearly two years. In it, she responded to reports that the NWSL had discreetly dropped its inclusion policy for transgender and intersex athletes, leaving the organization's position undecided.

The next day, her opinion piece was republished completely by another media outlet, providing broader exposure.

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

Her piece generally argued for a ban on trans athletes from the league to preserve “the fairness of female athletics.”

Questioning the Actual Risk

It remains uncertain how Eddy believes the NWSL's integrity has been harmed—either under its previous guidelines that permitted trans athletes or its current lack of one. The organization, now in its thirteenth year, has developed a clear brand. It's extremely contested, influential in business and culture, and an essential part of the global female football landscape.

The league's momentum seems largely fine—viewership have increased every season, and expansion to 16 teams is planned for 2026.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy references the Football Association's recent ban on trans players as a success story. Yet, that ban is thought to impact only 20 or so amateur participants out of millions registered athletes. The impact in the United States would likely be similarly minimal.

Two years ago, when the NWSL's trans inclusion policy took effect, there were two trans players: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no openly transgender athletes presently compete in the NWSL. On the 2025 season's first matchdays, the NWSL welcomed its thousandth participant. That's just two out trans players out of more than a thousand in league history.

Unfounded Fears and Actual Harm

The article is written as if there is a pipeline of transgender athletes set to dominate the NWSL at a moment's notice. There is no such thing. There are currently no out trans players competing at a professional level in the US. National laws expressly bans transgender athletes from participating in university sports. Additionally, numerous peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated that trans athletes have no inherent physical edge over cis athletes.

Without of openly transgender individuals, transphobic attacks have continued along racial lines. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was named a top honor, she experienced a surge of digital harassment. The NWSL was painfully slow in defending their star player. Similarly, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable abuse.

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

Additional Pressing Problems Confronting the NWSL

Regardless if one were to overlook these points and believe that trans inclusion represents a real problem for the NWSL, it's hard to see how it would surpass multiple of different challenges that have actually 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 club and the NWSL, alleging racial and disability discrimination, unwanted advances, and failure to stop prejudice.
• Player care is another area of concern. In spring, a player 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 health procedures.
• Extreme weather guidelines have additionally been challenged. During a broadcast match, the NWSL commissioner allegedly threatened to fine a club over a dispute in hot weather policies.
• Economic rivalry from leagues abroad like the WSL is growing, luring top talent away from the league and nation where they made their careers.

Transgender players were not involved into a single one of these challenges. And it's improbable they will, irrespective of whether the proposed changes come to pass.