Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Commissioner Cathy Engelbert revealed in a letter that “only women are eligible” to compete in the WNBA.
In a letter addressed to Reps. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Erin Houchin (R-IN), and Zach Nunn (R-IA) on October 16, Engelbert responded to an “inquiry” from the Republican lawmakers “about eligibility, player safety and confrontations with fans,” Fox News/OutKick reported.
Engelbert’s response referred to Enes Kanter Freedom and Minnesota U.S. Senate candidate and former NBA player Royce White as “both men,” though she did not explain what defined a woman. Both Kanter Freedom and White have announced they were declaring for the WNBA draft, stating that they are “transgender.”
The outlet noted that the letter was provided “by the America First Policy Institute.”
“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 said.
Engelbert’s response came after the Republican lawmakers asked how the WNBA “defines ‘women’ under Article XIII, Section 1(a) of its collective bargaining agreement, and why the two former NBA players had been deemed ineligible,” according to the outlet.
In a post on X, Kanter Freedom shared a photo of the letter and noted that while “the WNBA still can’t define what a WOMAN is,” it seems “absolutely certain they know what a MAN is.”
“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF AMERICA, THE MOMENT YOU’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!” Kanter Freedom wrote. “The @WNBA has officially responded. IS THE #WNBA TRANSPHOBIC?”
“Apparently, the WNBA still can’t define what a WOMAN is, but they’re absolutely certain they know what a MAN is!” Kanter Freedom continued. “How convenient!”
Kanter Freedom continued, saying Engelbert had “declared” that he is a man, and asked, “Who gave her the authority to decide who he is.
“This is their clear acknowledgment that simply identifying as a woman does not change basic human biology!” Stutzman wrote in a post on X.