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The Wild Open 2026 Without Sidney Wilson, and She Told Us Why
The Atlanta Wild will take the floor in 2026 with a hole that every fan of this team will recognize. Sidney Wilson, one of the more impressive strength specialists the Wild have ever put on the Grid, is not suiting up this season.
The reason has nothing to do with the sport. Wilson is in her clinical quarters for school and preparing for two back-to-back bodybuilding shows. One of those shows lands the weekend after the league’s opening match, which left no honest way to do both. She chose to be straight with the team instead of stretching herself across everything at once.
What the Wild Are Losing
Wilson has been a fixture on this roster for the past couple of years, and her skillset made an impact every time she stepped onto the Grid. Anyone who watched her work a barbell in the red jersey knows what that looked like.
Head Coach Dan Jackson made clear how much she means to the program.
“Sidney has really meant a lot to us and the team over the past couple of years. Her skillset has always been extremely impressive each time she took the floor. What she brought to the Grid floor is but a flake of her talent that she’s going to be showcasing on the bodybuilding stage and we’re very excited and proud of her for pursuing those goals and aspirations.”
Dan Jackson, Atlanta Wild Head Coach
Her Decision, In Her Words
Wilson did not dress the choice up. “I could not commit or dedicate myself to a team this year and be a reliable player.” That line tells you how she sees a roster spot. Either she can give the Wild everything, or she gives the spot to someone who can.
Her connection to the team remains strong, and she left the door open. “Hopefully I’ll be back next year.”
The Season Rolls On
The Wild compete again on Saturday, June 20 against the Fort Lauderdale Lions at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Florida. Wilson will be chasing her own goals on a different stage that same stretch of the calendar, and if her word holds, the red jersey will be waiting in 2027.
For more on Wilson’s decision, read the league’s full story.
The Wild are the official Atlanta team of the United Grid League
Coed teams racing head-to-head, and the 2026 season is just getting started.