The WNBA isn't leaving room for interpretation. In an October 16th letter to Congress, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told Republican lawmakers that only women can play in the league. She went on to call Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White — two former NBA players petitioning for WNBA Draft eligibility — "both men."
However, the WNBA has no record of any transgender women ever playing in the league or lobbying for eligibility.
How the Enes Kanter vs WNBA Fight Started
The media storm traces back to Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham. In July, Cuningham told ESPN she wanted to "protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men." Then, she later doubled down.
Kanter and White seized the moment. Both declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft, saying they identify as women. Kanter turned up at a Chicago Sky game in a shirt defining "woman" as "adult human female." He was subsequently ejected and banned from the arena following a confrontation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud.
In September, Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Indiana) and four other House Republicans pressed Engelbert on how the league defines the term "women." The commissioner's reply brought Kanter and White's WNBA eligibility into sharper focus. It also triggered a loaded retort from Kanter.
"Is the WNBA transphobic?" Kanter posted, arguing the league "still can't define what a woman is" despite branding him a man.
Amid the noise, players and the league pushed back.
Sparks forward Cameron Brink called the whole thing a "non-issue" and accused Kanter of chasing clicks at the expense of "a vulnerable community." The WNBA, which formed a task force on the matter, denounced "bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalize other." The WNBPA echoed the league's statement, as the players union vowed its members "will not be used as political pawns."
New Public Survey Sheds Light on Enes Kanter's WNBA Draft Stunt
Meanwhile, the public appears divided on the issue.
A new YouGov survey conducted by The Bulwark and Pablo Torre Finds Out reported 30% of 1,417 respondents approve of Kanter's bid to declare, while 47% disapprove. The divide falls along political lines, with a majority of Harris voters disapproving alongside many independents and moderates.
Trump voters, however, mostly approved of the stunt — but only by a 6-point margin.
This month's results additionally exposed how murky the trans athlete issue remains. Only 31% grasped how few NCAA athletes identify as transgender, while 23% support athletes competing on teams that align with their gender identity.
For now, the league's answer stands even as Kanter tries to keep the dispute — and the 2027 WNBA Draft — in the headlines.
