WNBA’s lack of clarity on gender eligibility policy is ‘herald of the times culturally,’ ex-NBA player says
Royce White, a former NBA player who said he will declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft, said Sunday the league is an "example" of "us losing a lot of things in this country."
White appeared on Fox News Channel’s "Fox & Friends Weekend" and was asked whether the league was at risk of losing its new audience amid the growing trans athlete debate surrounding the league and the lack of a clear policy when it came to gender eligibility.
"The WNBA is an example of a herald of us losing a lot of things in this country," White said. "We have to secure our elections, we have to restart the mass deportations, we have to start arresting some of these Deep Staters, I’m a huge fan of banning Sharia Law and Marxism nationwide and also some of these PACs and lobbies, but the WNBA and their lack of terminology, precision is a herald of the times culturally, for sure."
The WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement’s Article XIII, Section 1(a) states: "Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA." But as OutKick/Fox News Digital previously reported, the 409-page agreement never defines "woman" or "women." The terms "transgender" and "gender identity" don’t appear anywhere in the document.
The CBA contains detailed definitions for dozens of other terms. Yet the agreement doesn’t define the word that determines who may play in the league.
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"It’s just astounding that the WNBA can’t define the ‘W’ in the name," White added. "I think we’re going through a very necessary conversation about who’s actually eligible to play in some of these sports leagues I guess on both sides of the gender spectrum. My goal is to help elevate the WNBA. I think the ticket prices and the attendance will soar. I think the live audience will increase and I think, ultimately, it’s good for the game.
"It’s gonna help evolve the game. I mean, who would argue that a player like myself or an Enes Kanter (Freedom) or in the future, maybe a LeBron James after he expires in the NBA, maybe he wakes up and he realizes he’s a woman as well, who could argue that wouldn’t make the women’s game better?"
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert sent a letter to teams on Friday addressing concerns over the inclusion of transgender athletes in the league as White and Kanter Freedom said they wanted to declare for the draft.
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"I know many of you have received questions in recent weeks regarding transgender athlete participation in women’s basketball, and I expect this topic will continue to receive significant attention," Engelbert wrote in the memo, per The Associated Press.
"I 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."
Engelbert went on to call the debate "nuanced."
"We 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," Engelbert said in the memo. "We 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."
As far as the WNBA Draft, White said on "Fox & Friends Weekend" he was "having a blast in my feminine era."
"I never thought that I was a woman I always trusted the science," he said. "I thought that I was a man my entire life. After further review, strong look at my personal preferences, it would appear, indeed, that sometimes I identify as a transgender woman. And I think it’s only fair that I get a chance to play with some of my queens here in the twilight of my career, my athletic prime."
Fox News’ Dan Zaksheske contributed to this report.