ATLANTA – Enes Kanter Freedom, a former NBA player, made headlines once again for his controversial stance during the WNBA Finals Game 3 between the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries. Instead of accepting an alternative seating arrangement provided for his safety, Freedom opted to leave the arena altogether.
Freedom insisted on sitting in his purchased seat, leading to his ejection from the game—marking the second time this season that he did not complete a WNBA game. In a halftime video shared on social media, Freedom expressed his frustration, stating, “I just got kicked out of a WNBA game for the second time in a row for supporting WOMEN! Let that sink in AMERICA!”
Upon arrival, Freedom was informed by officials that he would need to watch the game from a designated suite due to safety concerns. He responded, “I purchased tickets, right? Just because I purchased tickets, I would like to sit in my seat. That’s all I want.” An Atlanta police officer then explained to Freedom, “You’re free to go to the city of Atlanta streets. That’s another private establishment over there. He’s free to go there. He just can’t be here.”
A representative from State Farm Arena clarified that the suite was offered to Freedom specifically for his safety, a precaution taken after consultations with the WNBA, Dream ownership, and security officials. The statement emphasized the priority placed on the safety and security of all guests and team members at the event.
Freedom’s motivation for attending the game stemmed from comments made by Golden State star Gabby Williams, who voiced her support for trans athletes. Freedom expressed that Williams’ statements inspired him to pursue a future in women’s basketball, declaring, “Her words gave me so much hope and motivation to come out as a woman and officially declare for the WNBA draft.”
Alongside Royce White, another former NBA player who has made similar declarations, Freedom announced his intention to enter the WNBA draft. However, an insider revealed to The Associated Press that neither player qualifies for eligibility under current league rules. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert affirmed this stance, stating, “Only women are eligible to play in the WNBA and the individuals you cite in your letter are both men.”
In response, Freedom criticized the WNBA’s definition of gender, saying, “Apparently the WNBA still can’t define what a WOMAN is, but they’re absolutely certain they know what a MAN is! How convenient!” This controversy highlights ongoing debates surrounding gender identity and sports, particularly in leagues that are increasingly addressing inclusivity.
The incident raises significant questions about player rights, safety, and the interpretation of inclusion within professional sports. As discussions around gender and athletics continue to evolve, the experiences of individuals like Enes Kanter Freedom will undeniably play a role in shaping the future of sporting policies.
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This story corrects Freedom’s quote to “Apparently the WNBA still can’t define” what a WOMAN is. A previous version had it as “the WNBA still can define.”
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See AP’s full WNBA coverage here
