Photo via Yahoo Sports

WNBA responds to Congress’ question on how it defines ‘a woman’ as transgender controversy drags on

The WNBA has directly addressed congressional inquiries regarding its eligibility rules for transgender athletes, reaffirming that only biological women are eligible to compete in the league. In a letter dated October 16, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert explicitly stated that Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White—both former NBA players who have publicly identified as women—are ineligible to play in the WNBA, as they are classified as men.

The response follows pressure from Republican lawmakers, including Indiana Representative Marlin Stutzman, who had requested a formal definition of the league’s eligibility criteria and questioned how the WNBA defines 'a woman.' Engelbert’s clarification came after both Freedom and White attempted to declare for the 2027 draft, reigniting debates over transgender inclusion in women’s sports amid broader discussions sparked by WNBA star Sophie Cunningham’s recent statements on the topic.

Up nextWNBA· 2h ago

Social media reacts to Angel Reese's dominant Game 2 performance