The WNBA, the premier women's professional basketball league in the United States, will form a working group to determine "what is a woman" after two former NBA players demanded to know whether its eligibility rule exclusive to women is based on biological sex or self-identification.
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert urgently sent a memorandum to the teams on Friday after former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White declared themselves eligible for the 2027 WNBA Draft by self-identifying as women.
Engelbert described the issue as a "complex and nuanced topic" and stated that she "will always approach this matter with caution, respect, and in alignment with the longstanding values of our institution." She also noted that "preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition will always be the league's top priorities."
White was Trump's candidate for Minnesota in 2024
The origin of the controversy
The league's collective bargaining agreement states that "only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA," but the document does not provide any additional definition of "women" or clear language regarding sex assigned at birth or gender identity.
Freedom and White, recognized Trump-supporting activists with professional sports experience, are challenging the WNBA, a league that has historically chosen to align with leftist policies, promote the Black Lives Matter movement, and has rejected and harassed white players.
The controversy revolves around comments made by Sophie Cunningham, a player for the Indiana Fever, who publicly opposed the participation of transgender individuals in women's sports and was demonized by leftist sports activists, such as soccer player Megan Rapinoe and Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton, who was suspended by the league after clashing with supporters wearing shirts in support of Cunningham.
Basketball player Sophie Cunningham defended women in sports and was attacked by the left
