U.S. soccer legend Megan Rapinoe has sharply criticized former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom's recent efforts to join the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), labeling him a "bad faith actor" in a podcast rant.
Kanter has recently become a vocal participant in the debate surrounding transgender athletes in the WNBA. He has attempted to leverage eligibility rules to enter the upcoming draft. This pursuit culminated in a public altercation with Chicago Sky player Natasha Cloud during a game on Sunday. Kanter, who was seated courtside, wore a T-shirt with a definition of the word "woman" highlighted. Cloud confronted Kanter, leading to a heated exchange that required security intervention. Kanter was subsequently ejected from the arena.
Rapinoe, a prominent voice on social and political issues, addressed Kanter's actions on her podcast, expressing skepticism about his stated motivations. "He later, in continuing the absolute grift that was this whole thing, gave some quotes to OutKick Sports and Fox News - no surprise there - saying that he was just out there to protect women," Rapinoe said sarcastically. She questioned who Kanter believed he was protecting, suggesting he was a reflection of the problem.
"People who are 'trying to protect women.' First of all, from who? From who? It's yourself," Rapinoe stated. She accused Kanter and fellow former NBA player Royce White of being "bad-faith actors" attempting to disrupt women's sports.
Rapinoe argued that Kanter's actions represent a broader trend of individuals who previously dismissed the WNBA and women's sports, but are now attempting to insert themselves due to the leagues' growing popularity and power. "They are going to try and continue coming after the W and other women's sports leagues and its athletes after seeing all the power they have," she added.
She emphasized that these are not just online provocations, but real-life actions. "They're doing rallies before the game, they're coming onto the court. They're buying tickets. They're in there - they're not just trolls. They're showing up in real life," Rapinoe observed. She stated that such individuals seek a mechanism to "continue tearing down women and women's sports."
Rapinoe asserted that women athletes do not need men in the WNBA or women's sports in general to achieve success. "Let's make one thing clear: We do not need men in the WNBA, or women's sports in general, to make it successful," she concluded.
Kanter's bid to join the WNBA has faced official setbacks. League sources have indicated he is ineligible for the 2027 draft, with the WNBA reportedly unwilling to "give oxygen to efforts designed to mock the league or use this topic to demean and marginalize others," calling it a "publicity stunt."
Additionally, Michael Alter, the owner of the Chicago Sky, announced on Tuesday that Kanter has been banned from the team's arena. Alter cited Kanter's behavior as a "potential threat" and stated that his return would only be possible if he could "abide by our rules without being a potential threat."