The WNBA will continue discussions about transgender participation in women’s basketball as the league reviews how its player eligibility rules apply to an increasingly prominent debate, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a memo to teams.
Engelbert said a task force made up of team presidents and general managers will discuss the issue at a previously scheduled meeting next week. The league also plans additional discussions and listening sessions for team leaders who want to participate.
The discussions follow public comments from Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham supporting the exclusion of transgender girls and women from girls’ and women’s sports. Her comments, published in an ESPN article last month, were followed by small demonstrations during the Fever’s recent road games in Seattle and Portland.
League prepares for further discussions
The WNBA has not announced any change to its transgender participation policy. Engelbert’s memo instead outlined plans for the league to continue examining the issue with team leadership and the players’ association.
Engelbert said the WNBA would approach the subject “thoughtfully” and “respectfully” while maintaining its longstanding organizational values.
She also emphasized that the league’s player eligibility rules are part of a collectively bargained agreement, giving the players’ association an important role in any potential changes.
The commissioner said maintaining the integrity of the game and ensuring fair competition remain among the league’s highest priorities.
The WNBA’s current collective bargaining agreement states that only women are eligible to play in the league. It does not provide more detailed language specifically addressing gender identity or sex assigned at birth.
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Players’ union emphasizes inclusion
The WNBA players’ association said Friday that diversity and inclusion remain important principles for the union while also objecting to players becoming targets in broader political disputes.
The union said it supports protecting women’s sports but opposes hate, abuse and the demonization of transgender people.
It said it would continue participating in discussions surrounding the issue as the league and its teams consider how eligibility rules should be applied.
Debate draws protests and player responses
The controversy has generated demonstrations connected to Fever games since Cunningham’s comments became public.
A lone protester attended Indiana’s home game against Las Vegas on Thursday, while members of two conservative organizations planned a rally supporting Cunningham before the Fever’s scheduled game in Chicago on Saturday.
Other figures within the WNBA have publicly expressed support for transgender athletes.
Seattle Storm center Stefanie Dolson and Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve have spoken in favor of transgender participation. Reeve said Aug. 1 that transgender children should be protected and described participation in sports as a human rights issue.
The issue has also drawn attention outside the WNBA. Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White said Friday that they were eligible for the WNBA draft and identified as women. Their comments came as the league’s existing eligibility provisions remained under discussion.
No eligibility change announced
Engelbert said the league recognizes transgender participation as a complex issue and expects discussions involving teams and the players’ association to continue over the coming weeks and months.
Additional listening sessions will be available to team leaders who want to participate, she said.
The league has not announced a change to its current eligibility rules.
The next task-force meeting will give WNBA teams another opportunity to discuss the issue as the league and players’ association consider how collectively bargained eligibility provisions should apply to the continuing debate.
This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.
