Female Soccer Confronts Significant Threats, Yet Why the Alarm About Trans Players?
On late October, ACFC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her initial social media statement in nearly two years. In it, she addressed reports that the National Women's Soccer League had quietly dropped its policy of inclusion for transgender and intersex athletes, leaving the organization's position undecided.
The following day, her writing was republished in full by a different publication, giving it wider exposure.
“I'm concerned that without clarity about who the league is for, it will sacrifice its character and its momentum,” stated Eddy.
The article generally argued for a prohibition on transgender players from the league to preserve “the integrity of women's sports.”
Examining the Real Threat
It remains uncertain how Eddy thinks the league's integrity has been damaged—either under its previous guidelines that allowed trans athletes or its current lack of one. The league, now in its thirteenth year, has developed a clear brand. It's extremely contested, commercially and culturally powerful, and an essential part of the worldwide women's soccer scene.
Its growth trajectory seems mostly strong—audience numbers have grown each year, and growth to 16 teams is scheduled for the coming years.
Examining the Data
Eddy references the English FA's recent ban on trans players as a positive example. However, that ban is thought to affect only approximately twenty amateur participants out of millions soccer players. The effect 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 currently compete in the league. On the current season's first matchdays, the league welcomed its 1,000th player. That's only two out trans players out of more than a thousand in league history.
Unfounded Fears and Real Damage
Eddy's piece is framed as if there is a stream of trans players ready to take over the league imminently. This is not the case. There are currently no openly transgender players playing at a professional level in the United States. Federal legislation expressly prohibits trans players from participating in university sports. Additionally, numerous peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated that transgender players have no inherent physical edge over cis athletes.
In the absence of openly transgender individuals, discriminatory behavior have persisted along racial lines. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was awarded a top honor, she experienced a wave of digital harassment. The NWSL was slow to respond in supporting their key athlete. Likewise, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced comparable abuse.
“The piece does not represent for our club in our dressing room,” team leader Sarah Gorden informed the media. “We don't agree with the content for a multitude of reasons, but mostly the implications come across as transphobic and racist as well.”
Other Urgent Issues Confronting the NWSL
Regardless if one were to ignore all that and think that including transgender athletes constitutes a genuine issue for the league, it's hard to see how it would surpass any number of different challenges that have actually hindered the growth and affected its reputation.
- Working conditions for staff continue to be a concern. Six former San Diego Wave employees are taking legal action against the team and the league, alleging bias based on race and ability, unwanted advances, and failure to stop discrimination.
- Player care is another issue. In spring, a player Savy King collapsed on the pitch, requiring urgent care. On-field play continued, even though players were clearly upset. The NWSLPA called on the NWSL to revisit their health procedures.
- Extreme weather protocols have additionally been questioned. During a nationally televised match, the league head allegedly warned to penalize a team over a disagreement in hot weather policies.
- Financial competition from leagues abroad like the WSL is increasing, attracting some of the NWSL's best players away from the league and country where they built their professional lives.
Trans athletes were not involved into a single one of these challenges. And it's unlikely they will, irrespective of whether the proposed changes come to pass.