The WNBA has formally stated that only women can play in the league, rejecting former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White’s eligibility claims.
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed the dispute in a response to Republican lawmakers who questioned the league’s participation standards. Both former players announced plans to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft while saying they identify as women.
“If the WNBA has no definition of ‘women,’ why were Freedom and White deemed ineligible to join the 2027 WNBA draft?” the lawmakers asked.
Engelbert’s response confirms their ineligibility but leaves the broader question unanswered: what standards does the league use to determine who qualifies?
WNBA Commissioner Responds to Eligibility Challenge
According to OutKick, Engelbert addressed the issue in an October 16 letter.
“Only women are eligible to play in the WNBA and the individuals you cite in your letter are both men,” she wrote.
Enes Kanter Freedom – Fox News, YouTube
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The commissioner did not provide the specific definition of women requested by lawmakers. Her response states the league’s position on Freedom and White without explaining the criteria behind that determination.
That omission limits what the letter resolves. Although it answers the eligibility question for these two players, it does not establish how the same standard applies across the league.
Congressional Inquiry Sought a Clear Definition
The response follows an inquiry led by Rep. Marlin Stutzman, an Indiana Republican, concerning eligibility, player safety, and confrontations with spectators.
In a September 21 statement, Stutzman’s office said he had asked Engelbert to address the league’s failure to define women under its collective bargaining agreement.
Rep. Marlin Stutzman – Rep. Marlin Stutzman, YouTube
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Representatives Sheri Biggs, Erin Houchin, John Rose, and Zach Nunn joined him on the letter.
“It’s time for the WNBA to explain themselves, and it’s time for the WNBA to ensure safety and fairness for all players and fans,” Freedom said in that announcement.
The lawmakers therefore sought more than a decision on whether Freedom and White could enter the draft. They wanted the league to explain the rules supporting its position.
Freedom Challenges WNBA’s Explanation
Freedom shared the October 16 letter in a social media post, questioning whether the league’s position was consistent with its approach to gender identity.
“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF AMERICA, THE MOMENT YOU’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!” he wrote, before asking whether the WNBA is transphobic. “Apparently, the WNBA still can’t define what a WOMAN is, but they’re absolutely certain they know what a MAN is! How convenient!”
🚨 LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF AMERICA, THE MOMENT YOU’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!
The @WNBA has officially responded!
IS THE #WNBA TRANSPHOBIC?
Apparently, the WNBA still can’t define what a WOMAN is, but they’re absolutely certain they know what a MAN is!
How convenient!
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has declared that I am a man.
Who gave her the authority to decide who I am?
Who gets to define my identity?
And how can the WNBA determine who is a man without explaining what qualifies someone as a woman?
Is the WNBA denying people the right to define their own gender identity?
You can’t have it both ways!
America, read this letter for yourselves.
THE WNBA HAS SOME EXPLAINING TO DO!
— Enes Kanter FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) October 20, 2026
The former NBA player then challenged Engelbert’s authority to make that determination.
“Who gave her the authority to decide who I am? Who gets to define my identity? And how can the WNBA determine who is a man without explaining what qualifies someone as a woman? Is the WNBA denying people the right to define their own gender identity? You can’t have it both ways!”
His criticism centers on the gap between the league’s definitive rejection of his eligibility and its failure to explain the governing standard.
Eligibility Dispute Follows Courtside Confrontation
As That Park Place previously reported, Freedom’s dispute with the WNBA also included his removal from an August 23 game in Chicago.
He attended the Chicago Sky’s matchup against the Indiana Fever wearing a shirt reading, “WOMAN noun. adult human female.”
Sky guard Natasha Cloud confronted Freedom during the third quarter. Players and security personnel intervened, and Freedom was subsequently escorted from his seat.
Enes Kanter Freedom before being ejected – Chaz NBA, YouTube
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Freedom attributed his removal to his support for women and the message on his shirt. At the time of that report, arena officials had not publicly explained the specific reason for his ejection.
That confrontation brought further attention to a dispute now addressed in correspondence with Congress.
Engelbert’s letter gives critics a statement they can point to: the WNBA considers Freedom and White men and therefore ineligible. Yet the league still has not supplied the definition lawmakers requested.
Publishing a clear eligibility standard would explain how those decisions are made and applied consistently. Until then, the WNBA has answered the question about two former NBA players while leaving the broader policy debate unresolved.
What do you think about the statement from the WNBA? Sound off and let us know!
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