WNBA breaks silence on gender eligibility as debate over men in women's sports intensifies

By Samantha Kamman, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, August 13, 2026

The WNBA has said there are "no immediate eligibility matters" impacting the league and denounced “bad-faith efforts” in the ongoing debate about trans-identified males competing in women’s sports following a league-wide meeting held after two former NBA players declared their eligibility. 

Team presidents and general managers met on Wednesday and discussed various topics, including how the women's league will handle issues related to gender, race, player safety and politics.

“Today's meeting covered a wide range of topics, including ongoing discussions on transgender athletes and the continued hate and vitriol directed at players online. We will continue to engage all league stakeholders in the coming weeks and months,” a WNBA spokesperson said in a Wednesday statement.

“We will approach these important conversations thoughtfully and in alignment with the values of our league,” the spokesperson continued. “There are no immediate eligibility matters affecting the WNBA and we strongly denounce the bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalize others.”

Under the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA), “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.” The CBA does not offer a technical definition of a woman.

The WNBA did not immediately respond to The Christian Post’s request for comment. This article will be updated if a response is received.

The current season of the WNBA has become the focal point of the discussion about trans-identified athletes and competitive fairness after Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham publicly defended her stance on maintaining women’s sports for female athletes.

“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” the WNBA athlete stated. “I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”

In recent weeks, supporters and critics of Cunningham have staged rallies at WNBA games to express support or opposition to the athlete’s views on women’s sports.

Additionally, two former NBA players, former Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter and former Utah Jazz forward-turned U.S. Senate candidate Royce White, declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft.

On Friday, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a memo a task force of team presidents and general managers will discuss the topic of transgender-identified players at a previously scheduled meeting.

“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,” the memo reportedly stated. “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.”

The memo followed Kanter declaring himself as a “WNBA prospect” after reviewing the all-female league’s current eligibility guidelines. White made a similar announcement.

In an Aug. 7 X post, Kanter wrote: “If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA.”

“My team and I have carefully examined the WNBA’s eligibility criteria and governing framework surrounding self-identification and inclusion,” the former NBA player continued. “Based on the current guidelines, I can and am officially declaring my eligibility for the upcoming WNBA draft in April 2027.”

Kanter denied that the move was a publicity stunt and stated that he knows his presence on the court “will stir up strong opinions.”

“I am definitely not here to mock, make fun of, or disrespect any community or personal choices,” he added. “I’m simply asking that the current rules be applied equally to everyone — the rules that represent the very values many WNBA players and coaches have publicly advocated for.”

White announced his eligibility for the 2027 WNBA draft on the same day, claiming that he meets the criteria as a “sometimes identifying transgender woman.”