WNBA Bars Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White From League

The WNBA is facing congressional scrutiny over its gender eligibility rules after Commissioner Cathy Engelbert informed Republican lawmakers on October 16 that former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White cannot play in the women's league because they are men. The letter addressed their eligibility after both announced plans to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft while identifying as women.

According to reports published by WIBC and TMZ on October 20, Engelbert cited the league's eligibility requirements but did not provide the specific definition of a woman requested by lawmakers. The dispute has raised questions about how the WNBA interprets its rules and applies them to prospective players.

The WNBA's 2026 collective bargaining agreement states, "Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA". The agreement does not provide a further definition of the term, according to the two reports.

Indiana Rep. Marlin Stutzman described the commissioner's response as a significant development in the debate over eligibility in women's sports.

"The WNBA has just taken the first step in defining what a woman is for the sports community," said Rep. Marlin Stutzman. "By clearly labeling Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White as men, they have acknowledged that identifying as a woman does not change basic human biology."

Stutzman and four other House Republicans have also raised concerns about player safety and confrontations between players and spectators. Their questions include physical plays during games and incidents involving fans, according to WIBC.

The lawmakers are seeking clearer and more consistent policies covering eligibility, player conduct and safety. Their concerns have placed the league within a broader national debate over transgender inclusion, competitive fairness and protections in women's sports.

Freedom also criticized the league's response in comments to OutKick, expressing surprise that the WNBA had classified him as a man without providing a clear definition of a woman. The report did not include a detailed response from White to Engelbert's letter.

The controversy follows remarks by Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who said female athletes should not have to compete against biological men in sports, according to WIBC.

Engelbert is scheduled to leave her position as WNBA commissioner at the end of 2026, according to TMZ. The dispute comes as the WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries stand tied at 1-1, the outlet reported.