Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom has declared his candidacy for WNBA Commissioner, aiming to succeed Cathy Engelbert who recently announced her retirement at the end of the season. Freedom, who has been vocal about the league's policies regarding transgender athletes, stated his intention to "restore fairness for all women" in the league. He adopted former President Donald Trump's signature slogan for his campaign, announcing his ambition to "Make WNBA Female Again."
In a social media video, Freedom criticized the league's current rules, suggesting Engelbert's impending departure was a positive step but not a solution to what he described as systemic issues. "If the WNBA is unable to define what a woman is, then I, Enes Kanter Freedom, would be more than happy to step in as commissioner and lead this league back to greatness and restore fairness for all women," he said. "I’ll bring common sense. I’ll bring fairness. And yes, I’ll bring a dictionary."
Engelbert, 61, confirmed her retirement on Friday, reflecting on her tenure. "Over the years, it has been amazing to watch WNBA players thrive and lead the massive cultural surge around women's sports," Engelbert stated. "I retire knowing we have built something bigger, stronger and more enduring than we could have imagined."
Earlier in the week, Freedom had extended an offer for a peace summit to Engelbert, proposing that Caitlyn Jenner moderate the discussion. He had written on X, "I’m not a troublemaker. I’m more of a peacemaker. Listen, the whole world is laughing at you. You have turned the #WNBA into a laughingstock."
Freedom's challenge to Engelbert and the WNBA task force urged an open and respectful conversation to address public questions. "Let’s sit across the table from each other, have an open and respectful conversation, and address the questions millions of people are asking," he posted. "Let’s put everything on the table and let the public hear both sides. If you truly believe in your position, you should have no problem defending it publicly."