The WNBA has reaffirmed that former NBA players Royce White and Enes Kanter Freedom are ineligible to play in the league, following their attempts to enter the 2027 WNBA draft as self-identified women. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert stated in an October 16 letter to Republican lawmakers that the two players are ineligible because they are men, though the league did not provide a definition of "women" in its response.
White announced plans to explore legal avenues against the WNBA, asserting that Engelbert’s letter did not resolve his challenge to the league’s eligibility standards. He called on the WNBA to clarify how it defines men and women, stating, "We plan to explore every legal avenue possible to hold the WNBA and NBA community to their stated standards and values." White did not specify a timetable for legal action or confirm whether a discrimination lawsuit had been filed.
The dispute began after White and Freedom declared their intent to enter the 2027 WNBA draft, identifying as women. During a recent interview, White acknowledged that his declaration was made for basketball purposes. The WNBA’s position was reiterated in Engelbert’s response to a September 17 inquiry from Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) and four Republican colleagues, who had asked how the league defines "women."
Background and Reactions
The controversy gained traction after Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham discussed transgender participation in women’s sports during an ESPN profile in July. Cunningham stated, "I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men." Her remarks sparked both support and criticism, with protesters gathering at a Fever game on July 28 to voice opposing views.
On August 27, White attended a Fever game wearing a blonde wig as part of a campaign with Freedom to highlight league rules. Freedom had previously worn a shirt reading, "woman, noun, adult human female," and was ejected from a Fever game on August 22 for the attire. Both players framed their draft bid as an effort to force the WNBA to specify whether biological males can play in the league.
The WNBA has not publicly addressed the legal threats from White but reiterated its eligibility policy in Engelbert’s letter. The league’s stance remains unchanged, emphasizing that only women are eligible to play in the WNBA.