The league plans to discuss the topic further at a scheduled meeting next week, while the players association stated it will not be used as political pawns.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has addressed the league’s ongoing discussions surrounding transgender athletes by issuing a memo to all teams sent Friday afternoon and obtained by the Associated Press. The communication comes as public attention intensifies around the topic across women’s basketball.
Engelbert acknowledged the growing public scrutiny in her message to the franchises. 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,
Engelbert wrote in the memo sent on Friday. 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.
League Meetings and Task Force Discussions
The league office has structured its next steps around established organizational meetings. According to the league memo, the subject will be examined further by a task force composed of team presidents and general managers during a previously scheduled gathering the following week.
While the league office has refrained from making public statements outside of the memo, Engelbert outlined three core principles guiding the administration’s approach. First, she wrote that the organization will always approach this topic thoughtfully, respectfully, and in alignment with the longstanding values of our league.
Second, she emphasized that our player eligibility rules, unlike the eligibility rules of some other leagues and governing bodies, are collectively bargained.
Finally, Engelbert noted that preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition will always remain among the league’s highest priorities.
Collective Bargaining Agreement and Roster Eligibility
The current framework governing player participation is anchored in the WNBA collective bargaining agreement. That document stipulates that only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA,
though it does not contain more granular language addressing gender identity or sex assigned at birth.
The debate gained increased visibility following comments made last month. In an ESPN article published in July, Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham expressed support for barring transgender girls and women from female sports leagues. Cunningham’s remarks subsequently generated small rallies and protests during road games in Seattle and Portland, as well as a lone protester during a home game against Las Vegas.
Amid these developments, two former NBA players, Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft on Friday, stating that they identify as women.
Players Association Response and Team Perspectives
The WNBA Players Association issued a public statement via social media on Friday emphasizing institutional values of inclusion while pushing back against outside political framing.
“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.”
Concluding her memo, Engelbert emphasized that listening sessions and further dialogues will be established. We recognize that this is a complex and nuanced topic, and we will continue to have important conversations with all of you and the Players Association in the weeks and months ahead,
she wrote, adding that team leaders will be invited to participate in upcoming feedback sessions.
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