WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert informed Congress that former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are ineligible for the 2027 draft because they are 'both men,' without defining the term 'women.'
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
The WNBA has declared former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White ineligible to compete in the women's league, following their announcement that they would enter the 2027 WNBA Draft while identifying as women. The decision has drawn scrutiny from Republican lawmakers who have requested a clear definition of gender eligibility under the league's rules.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed the issue in a letter dated Oct. 16, 2026, responding to an inquiry from Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., and four other House Republicans. According to Fox News's OutKick, which obtained the letter from the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), Engelbert stated that the two former players do not qualify under existing rules.
"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," Engelbert wrote.
The letter did not provide a specific definition of the term "women," a detail the lawmakers had requested. The WNBA's collective bargaining agreement, specifically Article XIII, Section 1(a), states: "Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA." The agreement does not define the term within that eligibility provision.
Rep. Stutzman described the league's response as a step toward establishing clearer standards. "The WNBA has just taken the first step in defining what a woman is for the sports community," Stutzman said. "By clearly labeling Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White as men they have acknowledged that identifying as a woman does not change basic human biology."
Freedom, who is represented by the AFPI, disputed the commissioner's characterization. "Cathy Engelbert cannot clearly define what a woman is, but she's absolutely certain that I'm a man," Freedom told OutKick. "I mean, how does that make sense? Who gets to decide? Who has the authority to determine whether someone is a woman?"
Freedom stated that he believes Engelbert misgendered him and argued that the league has not explained the standards it applies to determine eligibility. He indicated that his effort to join the league is intended to push for an explicit requirement limiting participation to biological females. "If they do not change the rules, they better select me in a WNBA draft in 2027," Freedom said.
The dispute intensified in the summer of 2026 after Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham discussed transgender participation in women's sports during a July 21 ESPN profile. "I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men," Cunningham said.
Freedom and White announced their plans to enter the draft in August, citing comments by Golden State Valkyries player Gabby Williams, who expressed support for transgender athletes, as inspiration. Freedom was ejected from a game on Aug. 22 for wearing a shirt that read, "woman, noun, adult human female," and was subsequently banned from Sky home games. He later filed a lawsuit alleging violations of his First Amendment rights, a claim disputed by Sky owner Michael Alter.
The WNBA's refusal to define "women" in its official correspondence highlights the ongoing national debate over transgender inclusion in women's sports. While the league maintains that only women are eligible, the lack of a specific definition in the collective bargaining agreement has led to congressional scrutiny and legal challenges. The situation underscores the tension between self-identification and biological sex in competitive athletics, with lawmakers seeking clarity on player safety and eligibility standards. Engelbert is scheduled to retire at the end of 2026, leaving the resolution of this eligibility framework to her successor.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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