It’s been four months since Sophie Cunningham’s viral ESPN interview. Her comments about trans athlete participation have triggered a wider debate and a conversation that has now reached the Senate. While the conversation had calmed down after the FIBA World Cup break, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s letter to Congress introduced some new voices in the debate. Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn publicly slammed the league over the definition of a woman.

“Retweet if you can define what a woman is. The WNBA needs some help!” Blackburn wrote in her tweet. 

Her tweet has come in light of the league’s reply to Rep. Marlin A. Stutzman’s questions regarding officiating and the eligibility of Enes Kanter and Royce White‌. Both former NBA players had challenged the league to clarify the use of “women” in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. In early August, Kanter said that he identified as a woman and declared his eligibility for the 2027 WNBA Draft. In its response, the league told Stutzman that Kanter and White were not eligible to play. 

“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’s response read. 

“Apparently, the WNBA still can’t define what a WOMAN is, but they’re absolutely certain they know what a MAN is!” Kanter responded in his tweet. 

Blackburn had previously tweeted in support of Kanter. In a series of tweets Wednesday, she criticized the league for not providing a definition of “women” in its response.

“The WNBA can’t define what a woman is. Yet it just told Congress that @EnesFreedom can’t play in a women’s league because he’s a man. Well done, Enes, on highlighting the absurdity of their radical gender ideology,” Blackburn wrote in a tweet. 

“WNBA, you don’t get to pick and choose which men get to destroy fairness in women’s sports. Not a single man should be competing against young women and girls. It’s time for you to fully acknowledge biological reality,” she wrote in another tweet.

Kanter’s response had come shortly after he announced that he was attending Game 3 of the Finals at State Farm Arena. He had specifically mocked the Valkyries’ star Gabby Williams and Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese using sarcasm and taunts on social media. However, on Wednesday, Kanter said that he was “kicked out” of the game. According to reports, Kanter was asked to take a seat in the “suite,” which he denied. The former NBA player said that he was banned from his purchased seat. 

“Enes Kanter Freedom has contacted federal, state and local authorities, the WNBA, the Atlanta Dream and State Farm Arena officials to express concerns about his personal safety during his planned attendance at Game 3 of the WNBA Finals tonight,” State Farm Arena said in a statement before Game 3. “The safety and security of our guests and team members is our highest priority.

“Following consultations with the WNBA, Dream ownership, State Farm Arena leadership and security officials, we have directed Mr. Freedom to watch tonight’s game from a private luxury suite. This arrangement is intended to address his security concerns and help provide a safe and positive experience for him and other guests. 

The statement also said that Kanter would get additional security during the game and a seat in a suite without ruining his viewing experience.

Earlier, Kanter had been escorted out of a WNBA game in August. During the Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky game after things got heated between him and Natasha Cloud. Kanter had walked towards the court while Cloud was seen shouting at him.

Kanter’s latest comments have brought renewed attention to a debate that had received less public discussion in recent weeks. With lawmakers and public figures continuing to weigh in, the issue remains a topic of debate surrounding the league.