CRUCIAL QUOTE
“If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA,” Kanter said.
Read more Billionaire MacKenzie Scott Is Releasing Third Novel For Free On Substack
WHAT DO THE WNBA RULES SAY ABOUT ELIGIBILITY?
Article XIII, Section 1(a) of the says, “Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.” The policy does not explicitly define the term “woman” or specify any criteria about biological sex, hormone levels or physical attributes. There is no clause that allows someone to be eligible simply by declaring or self-identifying as a woman.
WHAT HAS THE WNBA SAID ABOUT TRANSGENDER PLAYERS?
Not much. On Friday, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert sent a memo to teams that said a task force of team presidents and general managers will discuss the issue of transgender players at a meeting next week. WNBA player eligibility rules are governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, meaning they aren’t at the sole discretion of WNBA leadership, but she did say “preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition will always remain among the league’s highest priorities.” The WNBA Players Association issued a formal statement Friday, emphasizing diversity and inclusion while saying the organization “will not be used as political pawns.” The statement said the union hopes to “protect women’s sports while creating transformational change,” adding, “Hate, abuse, and demonization of any person or group of people, including transgender people, only fuel fear, division, and harm.”
Read more What Time Is The Solar Eclipse On Wednesday? When To Watch Across 26 U.S. States
Key background
The current push to solidify the eligibility requirements comes after Cunningham who has been described as “MAGA Barbie” online, last month said she wants to “protect women’s sports” and doesn’t think people born male should be allowed into the league. Her remarks have since triggered small rallies both supporting and opposing her at WNBA games, and gained more visibility after OutKick sent a direct message to transgender French basketball player Julie Tétart asking if she’d like to play in the WNBA. Tétart, a 34-year-old who plays for Monaco in second-tier French women’s basketball Ligue 2, said it would be a dream come true but reportedly added, “you have to be realistic: I’m old, and there are far better players than me!” OutKick then published an article slamming the “inclusive” WNBA for not having called up the player after her dominating season in France’s second division, and Outkick founder Clay Travis called the league “transphobic” on X.
Read more Powerball Jackpot Tops $900 Million—Here’s How Much A Winner Would Take Home After Taxes
further reading
ForbesHow Transgender Basketball Player Julie Tétart Became Ammo For Right-Wing’s WNBA TrollingBy Mary Whitfill Roeloffs