Enes Kanter Freedom claims he was denied entry into Game 3 of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday night, saying he got “kicked out” of the Atlanta Dream versus Golden State Valkyries matchup. This isn’t just some regular fan drama. Freedom has been making waves for months with his outspoken comments and his own claims of eligibility to play in the WNBA.
Safety Concerns, Suite Offers, And Social Media Claims
The whole situation started with Freedom posting a video on social media after he turned down a private suite at State Farm Arena, which was offered by both the Dream and the arena itself. He apparently raised some concerns about his personal safety. State Farm Arena put out a statement before the game saying Freedom had contacted federal, state, and local authorities, plus WNBA, Dream, and arena officials, all about his safety. They said they directed him to the private luxury suite with extra security and a state police officer assigned at his request. It was supposed to be his “designated viewing location.”
But Freedom saw it differently. In his video, he said arena security was “banning us from our purchased seats.” Then, after the fact, he posted again, claiming, “I just got kicked out of a WNBA game for the second time in a row for supporting WOMEN!” A State Farm Arena public relations official told ESPN that Freedom “was offered the suite for his safety and he rejected it.” So, it’s a he-said-they-said situation, but what a way to overshadow a Finals game!
The Bigger Picture: Eligibility And Altercations
This isn’t Freedom’s first rodeo with WNBA controversy. Back in August, he was tossed from a Chicago Sky versus Indiana Fever game after a verbal spat with Sky guard Natasha Cloud. Sky ownership banned him indefinitely from Wintrust Arena after that, though the WNBA didn’t issue a league-wide ban. Freedom, who played in the NBA from 2011 to 2022, has spent months claiming he and former NBA player Royce White are eligible for the 2027 WNBA Draft, stating they both identify as women. He’s been super active on social media, jumping into the conversation about transgender athletes, a debate that really heated up in the WNBA after comments from Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham.
However, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert recently sent a letter to U.S. Rep. Marlin A. Stutzman about WNBA eligibility, and she didn’t mince words. Responding to an inquiry from Stutzman and other representatives, Engelbert plainly stated, “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.” That letter refers directly to Freedom and White, making the league’s stance crystal clear on their eligibility claims. This latest incident just adds fuel to an already intense fire.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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