Amid growing discussions about the involvement of transgender athletes in women’s basketball, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has taken a step to address the issue. In a memo circulated to WNBA teams, she tackled this sensitive topic head-on, aiming to guide how conversations on this matter should unfold.
“Many of you have faced inquiries recently concerning the participation of transgender athletes in women’s basketball,” Engelbert mentioned in her Friday afternoon memo, obtained by The Associated Press. “This subject is likely to garner more attention, and I’m reaching out to outline our league’s approach to these discussions and to appreciate those who have handled media questions with grace and professionalism.”
The communication highlighted that a dedicated task force of team presidents and general managers will delve deeper into the matter during a scheduled meeting next week.
The conversation around this subject intensified recently after Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever expressed her opinion in an ESPN article last month. She advocated for the exclusion of transgender girls and women from female sports divisions. Her statement led to a series of small-scale rallies and protests in Seattle and Portland during the Fever’s recent travel schedule.
At the Fever’s home game against Las Vegas on Thursday night, a solitary protester appeared. As the team gears up to face Chicago on Saturday, supporters of Cunningham, comprising members from two conservative groups, are organizing a rally to show solidarity with her stance.
The league hasn’t made any public comments on the issue.
Engelbert wrote that 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. Lastly, preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition will always remain among the league’s highest priorities.”
The league’s collective bargaining agreement states that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA,” but it does not include any more specific language about gender identity or sex assigned at birth. On Friday, two former NBA players, Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft, saying they identify as women.
“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,” Engelbert said in the memo. “We also plan to convene additional discussions and offer listening sessions for any team leaders who would like to participate. Your perspectives and feedback are invaluable, and I appreciate those who have already reached out to share their thoughts.”
The WNBA players’ association released a statement on social media Friday that emphasized diversity and inclusion while saying the group “will not be used as political pawns.”
“We embrace justice equity, diversity, and inclusion,” the statement read. “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.”
Some WNBA players and coaches have come out in support of transgender athletes, including Seattle Storm center Stefanie Dolson and Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve.
“We need to protect trans kids,” Reeve said on Aug. 1. “To me, it’s a human rights issue. Every kid has a right to sports.”