Caitlyn Jenner, a transgender woman and former Olympic gold medalist, has voiced strong opinions on the controversy surrounding transgender athletes in the WNBA. Jenner stated her belief that biological sex should determine eligibility in women's sports, echoing sentiments that have led to debate within the league.
Her comments come as former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White have declared their eligibility for the WNBA draft, an action Jenner has supported. "XX are in, XY are out. It's that simple," Jenner said in an interview with Fox News, referring to chromosomes. "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."
The controversy gained significant traction after Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham remarked that she wants to "protect young girls" from "biological men." This statement drew both criticism and support, fueling the ongoing discussion.
Jenner, who transitioned in 2015, has previously advocated for restrictions on transgender athletes participating in women's sports. Her public stance has generated discussion given her own identity as a transgender woman.
Freedom, who played 11 seasons in the NBA, announced his intention to enter the WNBA draft. White, who played briefly in the NBA, also declared his eligibility, at one point posting a picture of himself wearing a wig on social media. Jenner's commentary suggests she views their actions as a means to highlight what she perceives as inconsistencies within the league's approach to the issue.
In response to the growing debate, WNBA general managers and presidents convened on a Wednesday as part of an anti-hate task force. The meeting addressed athlete eligibility and the discourse surrounding transgender participation. Following the meeting, the league issued a statement indicating that there were "no immediate eligibility matters affecting" the WNBA and denouncing "bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalize others."
The WNBA's current collective bargaining agreement specifies that "only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA," without further defining criteria regarding gender identity or sex assigned at birth. Despite the league's stance, some figures within the WNBA, including Seattle Storm center Stefanie Dolson and Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, have publicly supported the inclusion of transgender athletes, with Reeve calling it a "human rights issue."