WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has sent a memo to teams that addresses ongoing discussions around transgender athletes in women’s basketball.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know many of you have received questions in recent weeks regarding transgender athlete participation in women\u2019s basketball, and I expect this topic will continue to receive significant attention,\u201d Engelbert wrote in the memo, which was sent Friday afternoon and obtained by The Associated Press. \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The memo said the topic will be discussed further by a task force of team presidents and general managers at a previously scheduled meeting next week.<\/p>\n
In an ESPN article published last month, Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham voiced support for barring transgender girls and women from girls\u2019 and women\u2019s sports. Cunningham’s comments sparked small rallies and protests<\/a> in Seattle and Portland when the Fever were on the road last week.<\/p>\n There was a lone protester at the Fever’s home game against Las Vegas on Thursday night. Indiana visits Chicago on Saturday. Members of two conservative groups are planning a rally in support of Cunningham ahead of that game.<\/p>\n The league hasn\u2019t made any public comments on the issue.<\/p>\n Engelbert wrote that the league will \u201calways approach this topic thoughtfully, respectfully, and in alignment with the longstanding values of our league. Second, our player eligibility rules, unlike the eligibility rules of some other leagues and governing bodies, are collectively bargained. Lastly, preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition will always remain among the league\u2019s highest priorities.\u201d<\/p>\n The league’s collective bargaining agreement states that \u201conly players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA,\u201d but it does not include any more specific language about gender identity or sex assigned at birth. On Friday, two former NBA players, Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft, saying they identify as women.<\/p>\n \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. \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 share their thoughts.\u201d<\/p>\n The WNBA players’ association released a statement on social media Friday that emphasized diversity and inclusion while saying the group \u201cwill not be used as political pawns.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe embrace justice equity, diversity, and inclusion,\u201d the statement read. \u201cThose are the values that unite this Union and allow it to protect women\u2019s sports while creating transformational change. Hate, abuse, and demonization 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Some WNBA players and coaches have come out in support of transgender athletes, including Seattle Storm center Stefanie Dolson and Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to protect trans kids,\u201d Reeve said on Aug. 1. \u201cTo me, it\u2019s a human rights issue. Every kid has a right to sports.\u201d<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n