WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert says others are trying to ‘sow divisiveness’ in transgender debate

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert denounced individuals she claimed were attempting to "sow divisiveness" amid a discussion surrounding transgender athletes in the league. This occurred as the WNBA deals with a contentious debate regarding transgender athletes' eligibility. Engelbert made these remarks prior to the Indiana Fever's 91-85 defeat to the Dallas Wings, held at the Dallas Mavericks' home, American Airlines Center.

Demonstrators gathered outside the venue, following a profile in ESPN that detailed Fever's Sophie Cunningham's support for barring transgender girls and women from girls' and women's sports. Earlier this month, former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White declared their eligibility for the WNBA draft, asserting they identify as women.

The league's collective bargaining agreement stipulates that "only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA," but it lacks specific language regarding gender identity or sex assigned at birth. Engelbert previously sent a memo to team presidents and general managers, stating that the league would address the issue of transgender women in women's basketball.

Engelbert emphasized that despite the presence of "haters," the WNBA has earned its status as a legitimate sports media and entertainment product. She denounced those using the league to "sow divisiveness" and described the debate as a "political football" for individuals who lack familiarity with the WNBA.