The saga around transgender athlete participation in women’s sports continues to unfold. Ex-NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom had already announced that he would attend the matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky on Sunday. However, things got heated after his verbal and near-physical altercation with a visibly upset Chicago Sky player, Natasha Cloud, which ultimately led to his ejection.
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Enes Kanter Freedom wasted no time as he expressed his thoughts on this ejection in a social media post.
“I just got kicked out of a @WNBA game for supporting WOMEN!,” the post read, published after his ejection on August 23. “Let that sink in, AMERICA! 🇺🇸”
He later posted: “It’s always women hating on other women.”
With 1:22 left in the third quarter, cameras caught Chicago Sky’s Natasha Cloud looking at Kanter Freedom after her bucket, saying something in his direction. A heated exchange followed, and Freedom was seen putting his arms out in a gesture. Players and security had to be involved to prevent a physical confrontation between Cloud, who was visibly upset at the moment, and Freedom.
Freedom was then escorted out of the Wintrust Arena by security, with Cloud calming down on the bench.
The game attained a controversial undertone even before a single ball hit the hard court, as Freedom announced his participation in a pre-game rally, apparently supporting Sophie Cunningham.
While Article XIII, Section 1(a) of the WNBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) states that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA,” there is no clarity about the specifics when it comes to gender assigned at birth.
The controversy around Freedom first grew when he announced his wish to join the WNBA through the 2027 draft. This often gives rise to ambiguity and speculation and has resulted in controversies around the league, such as this one.
The league recently met as part of the “anti-hate task force,” and the transgender issue was also discussed. However, the league statement afterward indicated “that no immediate eligibility matters face the WNBA,” which did little to address this ongoing controversy.
While the Fever won the game 113-90, the narrative has once again been about this transgender saga and not basketball itself. For now, this debate looks far from settled, as Kanter’s ejection draws a sharp reaction from both sides of the aisle.
Next, the Indiana Fever have completed their five-game road stretch and will welcome the Connecticut Sun at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Sun will first host the Sky on Tuesday.