WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert convened a task force of team presidents and general managers to weigh transgender athlete eligibility this week. However, the group stopped short of recommending any new gender eligibility rules as media fallout surrounding last month's Sophie Cunningham article continues.
In a statement, the committee said it "strongly denounced the bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalize others." The group added it would continue conversations around eligibility as needed.
WNBA Task Force Evaluates Transgender Athlete Policy
As there are currently no transgender athletes competing in the league, the group determined "there are no immediate eligibility matters affecting the WNBA."
Cathy Engelbert had placed the topic on the agenda days earlier in a memo to team leaders after the debate over transgender athletes in the WNBA began to intensify.
Most of the recent controversy stemmed from a recent ESPN profile of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham. In the article, she voiced support for barring trans girls and women from women's sports. Her remarks then fueled small rallies and counter-protests in Seattle and Portland during the Fever's latest road trip.
Pressure spiked again last Friday after former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White declared for next April's WNBA Draft, saying they identify as women. The current CBA states only women may play in the league but it doesn't define the term.
Engelbert has promised more listening sessions in the weeks ahead, while coaches like Minnesota's Cheryl Reeve have already voiced support for trans athletes.
