Wnba Commissioner Says League Task Force Will Discuss Response To Transgender Debate

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has sent a memo to teams that addresses ongoing statement astir transgender jock competing successful women’s basketball.

“I cognize galore of you person received questions successful caller weeks regarding transgender jock information successful women’s basketball, and I expect this taxable will proceed to person important attention,” Engelbert wrote successful nan memo, which was sent Friday and obtained by nan Associated Press. “I wanted to scope retired to stock really we are approaching these conversations astatine nan convention agency and to convey those of you who person responded to questions from nan media pinch thoughtfulness and professionalism.”

The memo said nan taxable will beryllium discussed further by a task unit of squad presidents and wide managers astatine a antecedently scheduled gathering adjacent week.

In an ESPN article published past month, Indiana Fever subordinate Sophie Cunningham voiced support for barring transgender girls and women from girls’ and women’s sports. Cunningham’s comments sparked mini rallies and protests successful Seattle, Portland and Minnesota erstwhile nan Fever were connected nan roadworthy past week.

There was a lone protester astatine nan Fever’s location crippled against Las Vegas connected Thursday night. Indiana visits Chicago connected Saturday. Members of 2 blimpish groups are readying a rally successful support of Cunningham up of that game.

The convention hasn’t made immoderate nationalist comments connected nan issue.

Engelbert wrote that nan convention will “always attack this taxable thoughtfully, respectfully, and successful alignment pinch nan longstanding values of our league. Second, our subordinate eligibility rules, dissimilar nan eligibility rules of immoderate different leagues and governing bodies, are collectively bargained. Lastly, preserving nan integrity of our crippled and ensuring adjacent title will ever stay among nan league’s highest priorities.”

The league’s corporate bargaining statement states that “only players who are women are eligible to play successful nan WNBA,” but it does not see immoderate much circumstantial connection astir gender personality aliases activity assigned astatine birth. On Friday, 2 erstwhile NBA players, Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, declared themselves eligible for nan WNBA draft, saying they place arsenic women.

“We admit that this is simply a analyzable and nuanced topic, and we will proceed to person important conversations pinch each of you and nan Players Association successful nan weeks and months ahead,” Engelbert said successful nan memo. “We besides scheme to convene further discussions and connection listening sessions for immoderate squad leaders who would for illustration to participate. Your perspectives and feedback are invaluable, and I admit those who person already reached retired to stock their thoughts.”

The WNBA players’ relation released a connection connected societal media Friday that emphasized diverseness and inclusion while saying nan group “will not beryllium utilized arsenic governmental pawns.”

“We clasp justness equity, diversity, and inclusion,” nan connection read. “Those are nan values that merge this Union and let it to protect women’s sports while creating transformational change. Hate, abuse, and demonization of immoderate personification aliases group of people, including transgender people, only substance fear, division, and harm. We will proceed to person difficult conversations. But we will not beryllium utilized arsenic governmental pawns.”

Some WNBA players and coaches person travel retired successful support of transgender athletes, including Seattle Storm halfway Stefanie Dolson and Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve.

“We request to protect trans kids,” Reeve said connected Aug. 1. “To me, it’s a quality authorities issue. Every kid has a correct to sports.”

Feinberg writes for nan Associated Press.