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WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert and team executives will soon meet to discuss the issues on transgender participation.
Engelbert sent a memo to teams Friday acknowledging the heightened conversation on transgender participation in recent weeks, according to The Associated Press. She informed teams that the topic will be discussed in a previously scheduled meeting with team presidents and general managers next week.
“I know many of you have received questions in recent weeks regarding transgender athlete participation in women’s basketball, and I expect this topic will continue to receive significant attention,” Engelbert wrote. “I wanted to reach out to share how we are approaching these conversations at the league office and to thank those of you who have responded to questions from the media with thoughtfulness and professionalism.”
The topic has been at the center of WNBA discourse since late July, when Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham said in an ESPN story: “I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
Engelbert’s memo also mentioned that the gender eligibility rules are found in the CBA, and more conversations will take place in the “weeks and months ahead” with teams and the players’ union.
There is little written in the new WNBA CBA about player eligibility based on gender. Article XIII Section 1 (a) reads: “Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.” But the CBA does not have specific wording around gender identity.
The IOC recently changed its rules requiring genetic sex testing at the 2028 Summer Olympics. The WTA Tour followed suit, and testing is expected to start next week.
Engelbert acknowledged that the topic was “complex and nuanced” and that “preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition will always remain among the league’s highest priorities.”
On Friday afternoon, the WNBPA released a statement promoting values of equity and inclusion. “Hate, abuse, and demonization of any person or group of people, including transgender people, only fuel fear, division and harm,” the statement read.
Since Cunningham’s comments, small protests have followed Fever games in support of Cunningham. At the Fever’s game Saturday in Chicago, a few dozen protestors gathered in front of the United Center, which was met with an opposing protest of transgender rights activists.
Several WNBA players and coaches have spoken out in support of trans rights since the incident. Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said earlier this week: “I’m all about women, little girls deserving to play, and that includes trans women. So I’m all about inclusivity.”
Indiana coach Stephanie White said last week that she was not “educated enough from a scientific standpoint” to comment on the issue, but that she doesn’t believe “exclusion is the answer.” She also expressed frustration over the conversation being tied to her team.
Asked again about the issue ahead of Saturday’s game, White deferred to her previous statements: “I gave my comment before … And I will always believe in everyone’s right to peaceful assembly.”
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