WNBA tells Congress transgender applicants ineligible to play

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 20:32 · Archive

The WNBA commissioner told Congress that former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are ineligible for the league because they are men.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert responded to a congressional inquiry by stating that former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are ineligible to play in the league because they are 'both men'. The pair had announced plans to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft while saying they identify as women.

The response came in an October 16 letter to Republican lawmakers including Indiana Representative Marlin Stutzman, who had asked the league to explain how it defines 'women' under Article XIII, Section 1(a) of its collective bargaining agreement, which states that 'only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA'. Engelbert's letter stated that 'only women are eligible to play in the WNBA' but did not provide a formal definition of the term.

Stutzman welcomed Engelbert's response, saying the WNBA had 'taken the first step in defining what a woman is for the sports community'. He added that by labelling Freedom and White as men, the league had 'acknowledged that identifying as a woman does not change basic human biology'. Freedom responded on social media, stating that the WNBA 'still can't define what a WOMAN is' and questioning who gave Engelbert authority to decide his identity.

How it is being reported

• WNBA responds to Congress’ question on how it defines ‘a woman’ as transgender controversy drags onCathy Engelbert made her league's eligibility rules clear.New York Post · 20 Oct, 20:20
• WNBA tells Congress that Enes Kanter Freedom, Royce White are ‘both men’ in eligibility disputeCathy Engelbert told Congress that Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are "both men" but declined to define "women" under WNBA eligibility rules.Fox News · 20 Oct, 16:15

In this story: Enes Kanter Freedom · Royce White · Cathy Engelbert · Marlin Stutzman · WNBA

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