WNBA Tells Congress Kanter Freedom and Royce White Are Ineligible as Men
WHO:
New York Post - Indiana Rep. Marlin Stutzman and other Republican lawmakers asked the WNBA to define its eligibility rules and “a woman.”
New York Post - Stutzman called the WNBA’s response “the first step in defining what a woman is for the sports community.”
New York Post - Enes Kanter Freedom said Cathy Engelbert’s letter made him feel “100 percent” misgendered.
New York Post - Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham said she wanted to “protect young girls”; her comments sparked debate among WNBA players, coaches and fans.
Fox News - Enes Kanter Freedom said he was in contact with the FBI and had arranged private security; Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s office also provided security resources, according to Freedom.
Fox News - Freedom said he received messages warning he would be “the next Charlie Kirk.” He described receiving “thousands of death threats”; Fox News noted the claimed number and security arrangements had not been independently confirmed.
Sportskeeda - Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White said they intended to play in the WNBA.
Daily Mail Sports - Enes Kanter Freedom is described as an ex-NBA star.
Fox News - Cathy Engelbert told Congress that Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are “both men.”
TMZ - The WNBA said Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are men.
WHAT:
New York Post - Freedom posted on X that the WNBA “still can’t define what a WOMAN is,” and asked who had authority to define his identity.
New York Post - The league said it “embrace[s] justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion,” and that it would continue difficult conversations but would not be used as “political pawns.”
Fox News - Freedom said he planned to attend Game 3 of the WNBA Finals despite the threats and said he was arranging security.
Fox News - The best-of-seven Finals series was tied 1-1 after Atlanta beat Golden State 79-65 in Game 2.
Fox News - Freedom said he was ejected from a Chicago Sky game after a confrontation with Natasha Cloud; the Sky later banned him from home games. He filed a lawsuit alleging violations of his First Amendment rights, while team owner Michael Alter said security removed him because of his conduct, not his speech.
Fox News - Freedom said he wanted the WNBA to adopt an explicit eligibility restriction based on biological sex and said Gabby Williams’ support for transgender participation inspired his effort to enter the league.
Fox News - Royce White said he plans to explore legal avenues against the WNBA.
Sportskeeda - Royce White was described as furious over the WNBA’s response to Enes Kanter Freedom’s eligibility query; the headline includes the phrase “Justice for Roysha and Freedom.”
Daily Mail Sports - Enes Kanter Freedom said the WNBA had ruled him ineligible to declare for the 2027 Draft.
TMZ - The WNBA said Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White cannot play in the league because they are “both men.”
Fox News - Cathy Engelbert declined to define “women” under WNBA eligibility rules.
WHERE:
Fox News - Game 3 was scheduled at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Fox News - Cathy Engelbert made the statements to Congress.
WHEN:
New York Post - The league issued its statement in early August; Freedom posted his response on Tuesday.
Daily Mail Sports - The eligibility ruling concerns the 2027 Draft.
Sportskeeda - The article says it had been “months” since Kanter Freedom and White declared their intentions to play in the WNBA.
WHY:
New York Post - The lawmakers’ request followed the WNBA’s decision that Freedom and White could not declare for the 2027 draft.
Daily Mail Sports - The article describes the ruling as occurring amid a transgender-related dispute involving the WNBA.
TMZ - The WNBA cited that Kanter Freedom and White are men as the reason they cannot play in the league.
HOW:
Fox News - A spokesperson for Kemp’s office said it connected Freedom’s team with appropriate law-enforcement resources.
Fox News - White said he would explore legal options after Engelbert told Congress he was ineligible to play.
Fox News - Engelbert addressed eligibility in testimony to Congress, describing Kanter Freedom and White as “both men” while declining to define “women” under the league’s eligibility rules.
The WNBA says former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White cannot enter the league because they are men, after both expressed plans to play. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told Congress they were “both men” but declined to define “women” under the league’s eligibility rules. Indiana Representative Marlin Stutzman and other Republican lawmakers are asking the league to clarify those rules and its definition of a woman. Freedom said the WNBA’s response made him feel misgendered, while White said he would explore legal options. Freedom also wants an eligibility restriction based on biological sex. He says he has received thousands of death threats, is in contact with the FBI and has arranged private security; those claims have not been independently confirmed. He plans to attend Game 3 of the WNBA Finals in Atlanta, where the series is tied one game apiece.