WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert just laid down the law, directly addressing the eligibility of Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White for the league. This isn’t just another statement, it’s the most direct response we’ve seen yet in a controversy that has been simmering for months.
The Backstory: Ejections, Lawsuits, and Declarations
Enes Kanter Freedom has been a consistent flashpoint in the WNBA this season, making headlines after being ejected from a Chicago Sky game. That ejection even led to a lawsuit where Freedom alleged his rights were violated. Both Freedom and former NBA player Royce White publicly stated their plans to declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft, claiming they identify as women. The WNBA had previously released a statement that these players “will not be used as political pawns.” But the noise kept getting louder, leading to some serious questions from Capitol Hill.
Congress Gets Involved, Engelbert Responds
In September, Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., along with four other House Republicans, sent an inquiry to Engelbert. They wanted answers on WNBA eligibility, player safety, and confrontations with fans. Crucially, they pressed the league on how “women” is defined under Article XIII, Section 1(a) of its collective bargaining agreement, and why Freedom and White were being declared ineligible. Now, we have Engelbert’s reply. In a letter dated October 16, and reported on Tuesday, she unequivocally stated that Freedom and White are ineligible because they are “both men.” Her words were clear: “With respect to your questions regarding eligibility, only women are eligible to play in the WNBA and the individuals you cite in your letter are both men.”
The Fallout and What’s Next
The response from Engelbert has sparked immediate reactions. Rep. Stutzman claimed the WNBA “has just taken the first step in defining what a woman is for the sports community.” Freedom himself took to social media, sharing the full letter and firing back. He wrote that Engelbert “cannot clearly define what a woman is, but she’s absolutely certain that I’m a man,” and challenged the WNBA to “explain where it draws the line.” Freedom’s social media post also revealed that Engelbert’s letter touched on fouls, “overly physical plays,” and the fan Code of Conduct. While Freedom and White initially shared their intentions in the summer, after Fever guard Sophie Cunningham spoke publicly about the issue, this latest letter from Commissioner Engelbert brings a definitive, official stance to the forefront. It leaves no doubt where the WNBA stands on the eligibility of these players.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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