WNBA Set to Define “What a Woman Is” After Multiple Former NBA Stars Announce Plans to Join

Cathy Engelbert sent a memo to teams Friday acknowledging heightened attention on the transgender eligibility rules.

WNBA Set to Define “What a Woman Is” After Multiple Former NBA Stars Announce Plans to Join

Cathy Engelbert and WNBA Teams to discuss transgender eligibility rules (Image credits - Firstsportz)

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the league have some big decisions to make regarding the participation of transgender athletes in the WNBA. There has been a lot of talk about the participation of transgender girls and women in girls’ and women’s sports.

In the past few years, there have been quite a few instances where transgender athletes were allowed to compete across various women’s sports. It is a topic that has garnered a lot of controversy and has been politicized for a while now.

Engelbert has informed teams that the league will keep discussing transgender athlete participation in women’s basketball. She has sent a memo to the teams addressing the ongoing discussions.

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. 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.

Cathy Engelbert in her memo to WNBA teams

The memo mentioned that the topic will be discussed further by a task force of team presidents and general managers at a previously scheduled meeting next week. The controversy caught fire on Friday when two former NBA players, Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft after identifying as women.

Several figures on the men’s and women’s sides have been critical of this topic in the past. Even President Donald Trump got involved in the proceedings and signed an order that banned transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.

Last month, Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham spoke against the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports. She emphasized that her opinion was not transphobic in any way, but that she spoke in favor of protecting women’s sports. Her statements received criticism from various personalities and LGBTQ groups.

RELATED
“No Reason to Play That Card” – DiJonai Carrington Accuses WNBA of Racism After Getting Ejected Against Fever, Gets Called Out By Sophie Cunningham

Cathy Engelbert has a decision to make after two former NBA players declared themselves for the WNBA draft

With the 2026 WNBA ongoing, both Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft later this year. They identified themselves as women, which has caused significant controversy within the league. Both players are former NBA players.

Cathy Engelbert
Cathy Engelbert (Image credits – Yahoo Sports)

Cathy Engelbert emphasized three key points on the WNBA’s priorities in the memo.

The league will always approach this topic thoughtfully, respectfully, and in alignment with the longstanding values of our league. Second, our player eligibility rules, unlike the eligibility rules of some other leagues and governing bodies, are collectively bargained. Lastly, preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition will always remain among the league’s highest priorities.

Cathy Engelbert in her memo to WNBA teams

Under Engelbert, the WNBA has shown significant growth, but she has been at odds with the players in the past. The WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement states that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA”, but there is no information about gender identity or sex assigned at birth, which seems to be a grey area at the moment.

The WNBA will not be drawn into political fights

The participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports has been a concern and a talking point for a while now. Trans athletes such as Lia Thomas have vowed to fight back after President Trump passed an order banning their participation in women’s sports.

The Women’s National Basketball Players Association stressed its commitment to diversity and inclusion. They also made it clear that they will not be drawn into any political fights as they discuss the matter at hand.

We embrace justice equity, diversity, and inclusion. 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.

Some figures in the WNBA have come out in support of transgender athletes, while some have been against it. It remains to be seen what decision Engelbert and the league take after their meeting next week.

Also Read: