Former Olympic decathlon champion Caitlyn Jenner has accused the WNBA of hypocrisy after backing two former NBA players who declared for the women's draft in protest over transgender eligibility policies.
Jenner, who won gold at the 1976 Montreal Olympics as Bruce Jenner before transitioning in 2015, threw her support behind ex-NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White during an interview with Fox News this week.
"XX are in, XY are out. It's that simple," Jenner told Fox News. "And I think they're doing a good job just to show the WNBA how…the hypocrisy is going on here. We have to protect women's sports. I've been coming on this show for years and years. I want to protect women's sports."
The controversy engulfing the Women's National Basketball Association erupted after Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham stated she wanted to protect young girls from biological men competing in women's sports.
Cunningham's stance generated widespread debate across the league, drawing a mix of sharp criticism and strong support from fans, players, and commentators.
Former NBA players declare for WNBA draft
In an apparent protest against current league policies, former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom announced plans earlier this month to declare for the WNBA draft. Freedom, who played 11 seasons in the NBA and stands 6ft 10in tall, reportedly sent a provocative letter to WNBA leadership regarding player eligibility guidelines.
Ex-NBA forward Royce White, 35, followed suit by declaring his own intent to enter the WNBA draft. White, who played three games in the NBA for the Sacramento Kings, told Fox News Digital that he is now transgender and intends to join players like Caitlin Clark and Cunningham on the court next season.
White later posted a photograph of himself on social media wearing a wig while celebrating his feminine era, a move widely characterized as trolling his critics.
WNBA maintains current eligibility rules
Amid the growing controversy, WNBA general managers, team presidents, and commissioner Cathy Engelbert met on Wednesday as part of an anti-hate task force to address player eligibility standards and online abuse.
Following the meeting, league executives concluded that no immediate changes would be made to eligibility rules, ruling that there are no immediate eligibility matters affecting the WNBA at this time.
In a statement provided to The New York Post, a WNBA spokesperson condemned attempts to exploit the debate, hitting out at bad-faith efforts to marginalize others.
"Today's meeting covered a wide range of topics, including ongoing discussions on transgender athletes and the continued hate and vitriol directed at players online," the spokesperson said. "We will continue to engage all league stakeholders in the coming weeks and months. We will approach these important conversations thoughtfully and in alignment with the values of our league. 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."
Currently, the WNBA collective bargaining agreement specifies that only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA, but the document does not include detailed language defining gender identity or sex assigned at birth.
Divided opinions across women's basketball
The ongoing debate has drawn contrasting responses from prominent figures across women's professional basketball, with some players and coaches speaking out in favor of transgender inclusion.
Seattle Storm center Stefanie Dolson and Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve have both expressed support for trans athletes participating in sports.
"We need to protect trans kids," Reeve said on August 1. "To me, it's a human rights issue. Every kid has a right to sports."
