The Women’s National Basketball Association now faces a question its name once appeared to answer: whether a biological male can qualify to play in the women’s league.
Team presidents and general managers discussed “transgender” athlete eligibility on August 12 but did not reach a decision, according to a statement the league sent to ESPN. After the meeting, the league still had not announced a new rule, publicly defined “woman” or said whether biological sex determines who may play.
The league paired the eligibility discussion with what it called continued online “hate and vitriol” directed at players. It then said, “There are no immediate eligibility matters affecting the WNBA and we strongly denounce the bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalize others.”
The statement did not identify anyone the league believed had acted in bad faith, cite a specific offending statement or say Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham or another player had caused the online abuse.
The publicly reported remarks from players on both sides of the eligibility question have focused on competition and inclusion. None of the comments cited in this report called for anyone to be demeaned or mistreated.
Women-only rule without a definition
The league’s full name is the Women’s National Basketball Association. Its 2026 collective bargaining agreement states: “Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.”
The 409-page agreement does not define “women” or mention “transgender” athletes or gender identity. The WNBA also has no publicly available policy governing the eligibility of athletes who identify as “transgender” or intersex, ESPN reported.
No known biological male has played in the WNBA. The league has nevertheless left unanswered whether a biological male who identifies as a woman satisfies its women-only rule.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White drew attention to the ambiguity by declaring plans to pursue the 2027 WNBA Draft. The WNBA has not publicly ruled either man eligible or ineligible.
White renewed the challenge in a video shared August 13. “Why WOULDN’T they let me play? It’s completely bigoted to deny my trans existence,” White said. White has framed his planned declaration as a test of the league’s undefined standard.
🚨 LMFAO! Former NBA player and WNBA prospect Royce White just dropped this hilarious line on the league:
“Why WOULDN’T they let me play? It’s completely bigoted to deny my trans existence.”
😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/YIwb0P2NU2
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 13, 2026
Cunningham’s position draws wider support
The debate accelerated after Cunningham addressed women’s sports in a July ESPN profile. She rejected the accusation that she hated people who identify as “transgender,” saying, “I never once said that.”
“I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest,” Cunningham said before arguing that girls should not have to compete against biological males.
Cunningham’s remarks contained no insult or call for mistreatment. She framed her position around female locker rooms and athletic competition.
Actor Hugh Laurie added his support on August 10. The star of “House” wrote that he did not believe men should compete against women, then said directly, “And yes, I support Sophie Cunningham.”
Other WNBA figures have taken the opposite position. Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams said she would welcome an athlete who identifies as “transgender” as a teammate or opponent, while Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve has argued that exclusion should not be the answer. Demonstrators supporting and opposing Cunningham’s position have held rallies at Fever games.
The WNBA said it will continue consulting league stakeholders in the coming weeks and months. It did not say when it expects to adopt a public eligibility policy or define who qualifies as a woman.
Provided by Dallas Express
