Kanter, White WNBA eligibility: Navratilova reacts to former NBA stars’ challenge
Martina Navratilova has questioned the WNBA’s current eligibility wording after Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White announced plans to enter the 2027 draft. Cathy Engelbert says league leaders will discuss the issue next week. Navratilova has also backed Aryna Sabalenka and the WTA’s new one-time SRY gene testing rule. The WNBA has not announced any change to its current eligibility policy.
Martina Navratilova has expressed concern over the current WNBA draft eligibility debate following announcements from former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White. Both players, who identify as women, plan to enter the 2027 WNBA draft, challenging the league's current rules which do not clearly define gender eligibility.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has announced that executives will discuss the issue next week. Navratilova, an 18-time Grand Slam champion, stated that the announcements have opened the "gates" and will likely force the league to create a more clear rule. The current WNBA collective bargaining agreement states that only women are eligible, but the rule lacks a detailed test for gender eligibility. The WNBA will discuss the matter at a meeting with team presidents and general managers.
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