Caitlyn Jenner has entered the fray of the heated debate over transgender athletes, particularly as discussions intensify within the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).
A trailblazer in her own right, the 76-year-old former Olympic gold medalist, who transitioned in 2015, has pledged her support to two ex-NBA stars: Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White. These athletes have expressed intentions to declare for the 2027 WNBA draft, aiming to challenge and assess the league’s existing policies.
“They’re highlighting the hypocrisy present in the WNBA,” Jenner remarked to Fox News regarding Kanter and White’s efforts. She noted, “During meetings about this topic, Cathy Engelbert, the league’s commissioner, acknowledged discussions about the trans issue but mentioned no decision had been reached. Cathy, it’s straightforward—XX chromosomes qualify you in, XY chromosomes do not.”
Jenner continued, praising the duo for their efforts to expose inconsistencies. “Both of these men are effectively pointing out the contradictions within the WNBA. We must safeguard women’s sports… I’m committed to protecting women’s sports. Title IX was monumental for women’s equality, especially in athletics.”
The ongoing conversation was stirred further by an ESPN interview featuring Sophie Cunningham. In this, the Fever player passionately voiced her determination to protect young girls from competing against “biological men.”
Cunningham went on to double down on her take, which sparked anti-trans athlete rallies in support of the 29-year-old at arenas she was playing at.
Last week, Freedom posted a video of him signing his name to a document that asks the WNBA to accept his “decision to enter the player pool for the 2027 WNBA Draft.”
He later posted a workout video with a caption: “Let ‘The Transition’ to the @WNBA begin. Rules Are Rules! #LetFreedomPlay.”
White, a Republican candidate for US Senate who played three games and never scored in his NBA career, announced his plans to declare soon after.
“I’m transgender. I’m a woman… I identify as sometimes identifying as a woman for purposes of… professional basketball,” he told Fox News.
Days later, the WNBA had an anti-hate task force meeting that consisted of general managers and presidents. It found “no immediate eligibility matters affecting” the league.
“We strongly denounce the bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalize others,” a spokesperson for the league added.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert previously said in a memo that regarding trans-athlete participation, the league will “always approach this topic thoughtfully, respectfully, and in alignment with the longstanding values of our league. Second, our player eligibility rules, unlike the eligibility rules of some other leagues and governing bodies, are collectively bargained.”