Former NFL stars Shannon Sharpe and Chad "Ocho Cinco" Johnson, along with ex-NBA player Joe Johnson, have voiced criticism regarding former NBA player Enes Kanter's ejection from a WNBA game, questioning his actions and public statements.
Kanter was escorted out of Wintrust Arena on Sunday, August 23, 2026, after a heated exchange with Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud during a game between the Sky and the Indiana Fever. Kanter, who has recently been vocal on issues related to transgender athletes, stated that the confrontation began when he reacted to a play on the court.
"I was literally there to watch the game and then the first half went amazing," Kanter told Fox News, recounting the incident. "And then it was towards the end of the third quarter, Sophie Cunningham shot a three and I put my hands up to celebrate. Literally a couple of possessions later, Natasha [Cloud] came back and started screaming and yelling and said ‘She’s not going to sleep with you.' And I was like ‘I’m not trying to sleep with her. I’m just here to protect women and support her.'"
Cloud, following the game, issued a statement affirming her support for the transgender community, stating, "To every trans kid/person, You are apart of MY community & tribe. You belong. You’re loved. You’re seen. You’re perfect as you are. & you will always be protected by me."
During their podcast "Nightcap," Sharpe and the Johnson brothers discussed Kanter's behavior. Shannon Sharpe commented on Kanter's public stance, suggesting that his platform might be disproportionate to his career achievements.
"He was a solid role player for a minute… but to be pulling this stunt he be pulling, I don’t understand why. Is it because of the transgender rights? He’s thinking that, ‘Imma really test them to see what they going do,'" Joe Johnson said.
Sharpe added, "I think the thing was, Joe, is that he was a solid role player, but then he started having these beliefs and these talking points that the league’s like, ‘Bruh, you not that good.' In order to be talking like you talking, you need to be a star."
Kanter had previously declared himself eligible for the 2027 WNBA draft, claiming to be a woman, as part of his engagement with the transgender athlete debate.