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In a firm stance on gender eligibility, the WNBA has made it clear that only women are permitted to compete in the league. This declaration came in an octobre 16th letter to Congress from Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who addressed Republican lawmakers by explicitly referring to Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White — two former NBA players seeking entry into the 2027 WNBA Draft — as “both men.”
Despite Kanter’s public declaration identifying as a woman and his subsequent draft filing, the league has maintained his ineligibility. Notably, the WNBA does not have a history of transgender women participating in the league or pursuing eligibility, underscoring the unprecedented nature of this case.
How the Enes Kanter vs WNBA Fight Started
The controversy ignited this summer, beginning with comments from Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham. Speaking to ESPN in July, Cunningham expressed concerns about “protecting young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.” She later reaffirmed her stance, which set the stage for the ensuing dispute.
Seizing the moment, Kanter and White both announced their intentions to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft, asserting their female identities. Kanter notably attended a Chicago Sky game wearing a shirt that defined “woman” as “adult human female.” The incident escalated when he confronted Sky guard Natasha Cloud, leading to his ejection from the arena and a subsequent ban from attending games.
In response to these developments, Representative Marlin Stutzman (R-Indiana) alongside four other House Republicans requested clarification from Engelbert regarding the league’s definition of “women.” Engelbert’s reply reinforced the WNBA’s position, emphasizing a strict biological criterion for participation.
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