NWSL Faces Scrutiny Over Gender Eligibility Policy Amid Player Concerns

NEW YORK, NY — The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has been operating without a gender eligibility policy for over three years, raising concerns among players and advocates. The silence from the league, particularly under Commissioner Jessica Berman, has led to increased harassment of current players, especially Black and queer athletes.

This past Monday, NWSL defender Elizabeth Eddy called for a clear gender eligibility standard in light of the lack of policy. She proposed requiring players to be born with ovaries or undergo genetic testing for verification. Eddy’s comments reflect a push for clarity in the wake of recent controversies surrounding trans and intersex athletes in women’s sports.

A spokesperson for the NWSL responded, stating the league is “committed to working directly” with the NWSL Players Association on any policy changes, emphasizing that players’ voices will be central to the process. The NWSLPA reiterated that any policy changes must result from collective bargaining that engages all players.

Eddy’s op-ed published in the New York Post highlights her frustrations regarding the ambiguity of the league’s stance. She cited recent changes in sports organizations like World Athletics and England’s Football Association as examples of necessary policy adaptations. “Without clarity about who the league is for, it will lose its identity and its momentum,” Eddy wrote.

However, reactions to Eddy’s views have been mixed. Julie Kliegman, a commentator on gender and sports, criticized her language as dehumanizing and not inclusive, reflecting a broader tension within the league over how to support and protect all players.

Supporters’ groups across the league also voiced their disagreement with Eddy’s stance, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and championing all players, regardless of their gender identity. Orlando Pride sporting director Haley Carter tweeted that the league does not need gatekeepers but rather champions and advocates for every player.

The NWSL has been without a formal policy on trans player inclusion since early 2022. Presently, there are no trans players in the league, and the absence of a policy has led to harassment of athletes by outside organizations claiming to protect women’s sports through restrictive measures.

Eddy’s recent column has amplified the ongoing debate. Many are concerned that rhetoric around gender eligibility could inadvertently fuel further harassment of fellow athletes. Kliegman remarked, “Eddy’s language is not protecting players. It risks harming them by inviting scrutiny and criticism based on misguided perceptions of fairness in sports.”

As the NWSL prepares for the upcoming changes, it aims to prioritize player perspectives and engage in an inclusive dialogue about the league’s values and policies surrounding gender eligibility.