LEFT: Enes Kanter Freedom, (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP via Getty Images) RIGHT: Royce White, (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images for BIG3)
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has sent a memo to teams addressing ongoing discussions about transgender athletes in women’s basketball, per The Associated Press. This comes after two former NBA players declared themselves eligible for the 2027 WNBA draft.
The memo from Cathy Engelbert says the topic will be discussed further at a previously scheduled meeting next week. This meeting will includea task force of team presidents and general managers.
“I know many of you have received questions in recent weeks regarding transgender athlete participation in women’s basketball, and I expect this topic will continue to receive significant attention,” Engelbert wrote in the memo, which was sent Friday afternoon and obtained by The Associated Press. “I wanted to reach out to share how we are approaching these conversations at the league office and to thank those of you who have responded to questions from the media with thoughtfulness and professionalism.”
Engelbert wrote that the league will “always approach this topic thoughtfully, respectfully, and in alignment with the longstanding values of our league.” Her memo added:
“Second, our player eligibility rules, unlike the eligibility rules of some other leagues and governing bodies, are collectively bargained. Lastly, preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition will always remain among the leagues highest priorities.”
The league’s collective bargaining agreement states that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.” However, it does not include any more specific language about gender identity or sex assigned at birth.
On Friday (August 7), two former NBA players, Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft. Both claimed they identify as women. Freedom was the first to announce via a video, saying in part:
“If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA.”
He added that based on the current WNBA guideline he’s “officially declaring” eligibility for draft in April 2027. Additionally, he claimed he’s not intending to disrespect or mock any community or personal choice, but instead wants the current guidelines to be applied “equally, consistently, and without exception.” Freedom also said he looks forward to the WNBA honoring their stated principles.
Hours after Freedom’s announcement, Royce White made a similar announcement. He told Fox New Digital that he’s identifying as transgender “for purposes of professional basketball.
“Im transgender. Im a woman. I identify as sometimes identifying as a woman for purpose of basketball, professional basketball, so Ill be declaring for the WNBA draft in 2027 as well,” White said.
Aside from claiming he’d be “unstoppable,” White described himself as an asset to a coach and teammates. Furthermore, he added, “I think it’s only fair.”
In an ESPN article published last month, Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham voiced support for barring transgender girls and women from girls’ and women’s sports. Cunningham’s comments sparked small rallies and protests in Seattle and Portland when the Fever were on the road last week. There was a lone protester at the Fever’s home game against Las Vegas on Thursday night. Indiana visits Chicago on Saturday. Members of two conservative groups are planning a rally in support of Cunningham ahead of that game. The league hasn’t made any public comments on the issue.
“We recognize that this is a complex and nuanced topic, and we will continue to have important conversations with all of you and the Players Association in the weeks and months ahead,” Engelbert said in the memo. “We also plan to convene additional discussions and offer listening sessions for any team leaders who would like to participate. Your perspectives and feedback are invaluable, and I appreciate those who have already reached out to share their thoughts.”
Meanwhile, the WNBA players’ association released a statement on social media Friday. Their statement emphasized diversity and inclusion while saying the group “will not be used as political pawns.”
“We embrace justice equity, diversity, and inclusion,” the statement read. “Those are the values that unite this Union and allow it to protect women’s sports while creating transformational change. Hate, abuse, and demonization of any person or group of people, including transgender people, only fuel fear, division, and harm. We will continue to have hard conversations. But we will not be used as political pawns.”
Additionally, some WNBA players and coaches have come out in support of transgender athletes, including Seattle Storm center Stefanie Dolson and Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve.
“We need to protect trans kids,” Coach Reeve said on Aug. 1. “To me, it’s a human rights issue. Every kid has a right to sports.”
Associated Press Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.
