With the spotlight shining brightly on the WNBA amidst the ongoing controversy involving the rights of transgender athletes, commissioner Cathy Engelbert has seemingly has finally addressed the issue.
In the wake of former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White declaring for the 2027 WNBA draft, Engelbert sent a memo to teams regarding the situation.
However, the memo didn’t exactly stamp out the issue, instead calling it a “complex and nuanced topic” while adding that conversations over potential rule changes will be ongoing.
“I know many of you have received questions in recent weeks regarding transgender athlete participation in women’s basketball, and I expect this topic will continue to receive significant attention,” Engelbert said in the memo, which was sent Friday afternoon and obtained by ESPN. “I wanted to reach out to share how we are approaching these conversations at the league office and to thank those of you who have responded to questions from the media with thoughtfulness and professionalism.”
What will the WNBA do about transgender players?
Engelbert wrote that the WNBA will approach this topic of transgender athletes thoughtfully and respectfully before stating that the issue of player eligibility is part of collective bargaining.
“Our player eligibility rules, unlike the eligibility rules of some other leagues and governing bodies, are collectively bargained,” the memo said, adding that “preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition will always remain among the league’s highest priorities.”
“We recognize that this is a complex and nuanced topic, and we will continue to have important conversations with all of you and the Players Association in the weeks and months ahead,” Engelbert said in the memo. “We also plan to convene additional discussions and offer listening sessions for any team leaders who would like to participate. Your perspectives and feedback are invaluable, and I appreciate those who have already reached out to share their thoughts.”
The WNBA’s latest collective bargaining agreement, which was signed in March, states that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.”
However, according to ESPN, there is no further definition of a woman or any publicly available policy governing transgender or intersex athlete eligibility.
On Friday, Freedom and White both challenged that policy, declaring themselves eligible for the WNBA draft after saying they identify as women.
Both players have been active on social media, with Freedom posting video of himself working out shirtless with the caption “Let ‘The Transition’ to the WNBA begin. Rules Are Rules!”
Meanwhile, White has posted several photos of himself wearing a wig on his X account and has conducted several interviews with conservative influencers over the past few days.
What did the WNBPA say?
The Women’s National Basketball Players Association, which represents the league’s players, released its own statement on social media, hitting back and saying that it will not be used as a “political pawn.”
“We embrace justice equity, diversity, and inclusion,” the players’ union said. “Those are the values that unite this Union and allow it to protect women’s sports while creating transformational change.
“Hate, abuse, and demonization of any person or group of people, including transgender people, only fuel fear, division and harm. We will continue to have hard conversations. But we will not be used as political pawns.”