{"id":2642342,"date":"2026-08-09T10:09:59","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T14:09:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wnba-commissioner-announces-league-is-reviewing-trans-inclusion-after-former-nba-players-declare-for-draft\/"},"modified":"2026-08-09T10:13:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T14:13:07","slug":"wnba-commissioner-announces-league-is-reviewing-trans-inclusion-after-former-nba-players-declare-for-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wnba-commissioner-announces-league-is-reviewing-trans-inclusion-after-former-nba-players-declare-for-draft\/","title":{"rendered":"WNBA Commissioner Announces League Is Reviewing Trans Inclusion After Former NBA Players Declare for Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwnba-commissioner-announces-league-is-reviewing-trans-inclusion-after-former-nba-players-declare-for-draft%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2642342&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >ongoing debate surrounding transgender athletes&#039; participation<\/a> in women&#8217;s sports, notably focusing on the WNBA. It highlights how comments from players like Sophie Cunningham, who expressed that men should not compete against women, have stirred controversy. The debate intensified when former NBA players Royce White and Enes Kanter Freedom announced their intentions to join the WNBA, prompting league officials, including Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, to consider how eligibility rules should address gender identity and biological criteria. Currently, the league&#8217;s rules specify that only women are eligible but do not clearly define what constitutes being a woman, either biologically or in terms of gender identity. Discussions are scheduled to continue, with input from players and stakeholders, as the league grapples with these complex issues. The article underscores the broader societal and sporting implications of gender inclusion policies and the need for nuanced conversations on this sensitive topic.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Thrust from the fringes of the sports world into the vortex of one of America\u2019s most emotion-laden issues, the WNBA is going to ponder a bit to determine exactly who is qualified to play in a women-only league.<\/p>\n<p>Ever since Indiana Fever\u00a0guard\u00a0Sophie Cunningham\u00a0d her personal opinion that men should not play against women, the league has been tempest-tossed as whatever might take place on the court becomes second to who says what about guys who claim to be girls.<\/p>\n<p>Protests supporting and opposing Cuningham have been held in various venues.<\/p>\n<p>The debate lurched into ludicrous territory Friday after former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White said they want to play in the WNBA next year.<\/p>\n<p>Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said it is time to figure out this thorny question that many believe is decided by biological reality, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbssports.com\/wnba\/news\/wnba-commissioner-cathy-engelbert-transgender-athletes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CBS News.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI know many of you have received questions in recent weeks regarding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/olympic-committee-rewriting-rules-on-transgender-athletes-after-laurel-hubbard-becomes-first-trans-competitor\/\" title=\"Olympic Committee Rewriting ... On Trans... Athletes After Laurel Hubbard Becomes First Trans Competitor\">transgender athlete participation<\/a> in women\u2019s basketball, and I expect this topic will continue to receive significant attention,\u201d Engelbert wrote.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI wanted to reach out to  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.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">As I stated a few days ago, I am declaring for the 2027 WNBA Draft.<\/p>\n<p>I identify as a sometimes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/transgender-woman-identifying-as-vampire-convicted-of-sexual-assault-is-headed-for-homicide-trial\/\" title=\"A vampire-identifying trans... woman found guilty of sexual assault now faces a homicide trial\">identifying transgender woman<\/a>! My wig is in the mail. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/lPVsmcMOVD\">pic.twitter.com\/lPVsmcMOVD<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Royce White \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Highway_30) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Highway_30\/status\/2085869040132555203?\">August 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Debating who qualifies to be female will now be an agenda item at a meeting next week that was already scheduled to talk about things such as, perhaps, basketball.<\/p>\n<p>The commissioner noted that \u201cour player eligibility rules, unlike the eligibility rules of some other leagues and governing bodies, are collectively bargained.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The current bargaining agreements said, \u201conly players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA,\u201d but does not define whether gender it is in the eye of the beholder or in something more biological.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe recognize that this is a complex and nuanced topic, and we will continue to have important conversations with all of you and the Players Association in the weeks and months ahead,\u201d Engelbert said in the memo.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe also plan to convene additional discussions and offer listening sessions for any team leaders who would like to participate. Your perspectives and feedback are invaluable, and I appreciate those who have already reached out to  their thoughts.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>White noted that the WNBA rules not bar a man who says he is a woman from playing, according to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/applewebdata:\/\/8E6A9142-0922-464B-A68A-E27D712A06F1\/according%20to%20Fox%20News.\">Fox News<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think the WNBA could come out and make a definitive statement about guys with a pair of balls playing in the Women\u2019s Association,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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