Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom has continued his public dispute with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, referring to her as "Coo-coo Cathy" during a recent appearance on Fox News. This comes despite Engelbert's announced plans to retire at the end of the current WNBA season.
Freedom stated on Friday night that Engelbert's decision to step down from her role highlights his ongoing efforts. "I just want America to understand what’s happening here. What we’re doing is working," Freedom said.
His public statements follow a period of controversy for Freedom, particularly after he announced intentions to declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft as a transgender participant. Freedom's eligibility, he claims, is based on the WNBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement, which he asserts does not explicitly define "women" or specify requirements regarding biological sex, hormone levels, or physical attributes.
"I want to thank the parents out there. I wanna thank all the Americans out there that believe in and trust in us," Freedom commented. "This is just the beginning. We’re gonna try to put as much pressure as we can."
When asked if he would be interested in becoming the next WNBA commissioner, Freedom expressed enthusiasm for the role. He stated his first action would be to provide a dictionary to the WNBA task force to define the term "woman" and also mentioned carrying a biological book. ![Enes Kanter Freedom in a black "WOMAN" definition t-shirt, holding a phone.]( "Enes Kanter Freedom in a black "WOMAN" definition t-shirt, holding a phone.")
In addition to his commentary on Engelbert, Freedom has also been involved in a dispute with the Chicago Sky. He was ejected from a game between the Sky and the Indiana Fever after an interaction with player Natasha Cloud. Following the incident, Freedom filed a lawsuit against the Sky, MPEA, and the city of Chicago, alleging mistreatment and a violation of his First Amendment rights. A representative for the Chicago Sky, principal owner Michael Alter, released a statement indicating that the full truth would be presented in court.