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During late October, ACFC athlete Elizabeth Eddy made her first online post in almost two years. Within her message, she responded to news that the NWSL had quietly abandoned its inclusion policy for transgender and intersex players, making the league's future stance unclear.

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

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

Her piece generally argued for a prohibition on trans athletes from the league to protect “the integrity of female athletics.”

Examining the Real Threat

It's unclear how Eddy thinks the NWSL's credibility has been harmed—either under its former policy that allowed trans athletes or its present absence of policy. The league, now in its 13th season, has developed a distinct identity. It's extremely contested, influential in business and culture, and an essential part of the worldwide female football scene.

Its growth trajectory appears mostly strong—viewership have increased each year, and growth to 16 teams is planned for 2026.

Examining the Data

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

In 2021, when the league's trans inclusion policy was implemented, there were two trans players: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no out trans players currently compete in the league. On the 2025 season's opening weekend, the league welcomed its thousandth player. That's just two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in league history.

Unfounded Concerns and Actual Damage

The article is written as if there is a pipeline of trans players set to take over the NWSL imminently. This is not the case. There are currently no openly transgender players playing at a professional level in the US. Federal legislation expressly prohibits transgender athletes from participating in university sports. Moreover, numerous scientifically reviewed studies have demonstrated that trans athletes have no inherent physical edge over cis athletes.

Without of openly transgender individuals, discriminatory behavior have persisted along racial lines. When a club's Barbra Banda was awarded player of the year, she faced a wave of online abuse. The league was slow to respond in defending their star player. Likewise, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced similar mistreatment.

“That article does not represent for this team in our dressing room,” team leader Sarah Gorden informed the media. “We don't agree with the content for a plethora of causes, but mostly the implications come across as transphobic and racist as well.”

Other Urgent Problems Facing the League

Regardless if one were to ignore these points and believe that including transgender athletes represents a genuine issue for the NWSL, it's difficult to see how it would surpass any number of different challenges that have actually hindered the growth and affected its integrity.

• Employment standards for staff remain a concern. Several ex- club employees are suing the club and the NWSL, alleging bias based on race and ability, unwanted advances, and failure to prevent prejudice.
• Player care is a further area of concern. In May, a player Savy King fell on the field, requiring urgent care. On-field play resumed, even though teammates were clearly distraught. The NWSLPA called on the NWSL to review their health procedures.
• Severe climate guidelines have also been questioned. During a nationally televised match, the NWSL commissioner reportedly threatened to fine a club over a dispute in extreme heat procedures.
• Financial rivalry from European leagues like the Women's Super League is growing, attracting top talent away from the league and nation where they built their professional lives.

Transgender players did not factor into a single one of these issues. And it's unlikely they will, regardless of whether the proposed changes come to pass.