The WNBA is set to hold crunch talks over transgender athletes competing in women’s basketball as the league faces growing pressure to clarify its eligibility rules.
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has informed teams that the issue will be discussed by a task force of presidents and general managers at a previously scheduled meeting this week.
The move comes amid an escalating debate over transgender participation in women’s sport, with Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham recently expressing support for excluding transgender women and girls from female categories.
Cunningham’s comments have subsequently prompted protests and counter-demonstrations around Fever games.
Engelbert has now addressed the situation in a memo sent to WNBA teams on Friday and obtained by The Associated Press and ESPN.
“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,” she 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 WNBA has not publicly announced any changes to its eligibility regulations.
The WNBA is set to hold crunch talks over transgender athletes competing in women’s basketball as the league faces growing pressure to clarify its eligibility rules
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Its existing collective bargaining agreement states that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA”, but contains no more specific wording concerning gender identity or sex assigned at birth.
Engelbert stressed that player eligibility regulations are collectively bargained, meaning the issue also involves the Women’s National Basketball Players Association.
She also identified competitive integrity as one of the league’s central considerations.
The WNBA has not publicly announced any changes to its eligibility regulations amid mounting pressure to provide clarity
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Engelbert said: “[The league will] always approach this topic thoughtfully, respectfully, and in alignment with the longstanding values of our league.”
She added that “preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition will always remain among the league’s highest priorities”.
The controversy has intensified following Cunningham’s intervention.
Her comments prompted small rallies and protests when Indiana travelled to Seattle and Portland last week, while a lone protester was present when the Fever hosted the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday.
Two conservative groups had also planned a rally supporting Cunningham ahead of Indiana’s visit to Chicago on Saturday.
Meanwhile, former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White said on Friday that they identified as women and declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft.
The players’ union has now issued its own statement, emphasising its commitment to inclusion while insisting its members will not become “political pawns”.
Sophie Cunningham has found herself in the spotlight after her decision to speak about transgender athletes
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“We embrace justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion,” the WNBPA said.
“Hate, abuse, and demonisation of any person or group of people, including transgender people, only fuel fear, division, and harm.
“We will continue to have hard conversations. But we will not be used as political pawns.”
Several prominent figures within the WNBA have previously backed transgender inclusion, including Seattle Storm centre Stefanie Dolson and Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve.
Engelbert acknowledged there were unlikely to be simple answers, describing the subject as “complex and nuanced”.
Further discussions with teams and the players’ association are planned over the coming weeks and months, with additional listening sessions also expected.