WNBA commissioner makes her stance clear on Kanter Freedom’s draft bid
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert responds to lawmakers on eligibility rules as Enes Kanter Freedom pushes back and the debate grows.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert explicitly stated that only women are eligible to play in the league, rejecting the arguments made by Republican lawmakers about the need for a more defined eligibility criteria. She addressed the situation of former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, who declared their intent to participate in the 2027 WNBA draft, stating that both are men and thus ineligible.
Engelbert's response did not provide the more detailed definition of womanhood that lawmakers requested. Freedom and White's participation in the draft has sparked a national debate about transgender athletes in women's sports. Freedom's efforts to enter the league have also included attending a game where he was ejected due to a confrontation with another player.
The debate has added an extra layer to the WNBA Finals, with the league trying to maintain focus on the court while dealing with off-court controversies.
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