Hall of fame softball coach Leigh Ross-Dakich has issued a stark warning regarding the potential impact of transgender athletes competing in women's professional sports, suggesting it could lead to the exclusion of biological females. Ross-Dakich voiced her concerns during an appearance on her husband Dan Dakich's show, "Don't @ Me."
Ross-Dakich, who has amassed over 700 wins coaching at Bowling Green and Syracuse, believes that leagues like the WNBA, by embracing the inclusion of transgender athletes, risk alienating female players and fans. She specifically referenced WNBA coaches who have expressed support for transgender players potentially taking roster spots.
"Let's go. One league. Let's see what happens. What's going to happen is that girls are going to get wiped out," Ross-Dakich stated, emphasizing the physical differences between biological males and females. She suggested that current players might not fully grasp the historical struggles women faced to establish their own sports leagues.
She proposed that participation should be determined by an athlete's birth certificate. "Whatever is on your birth certificate is where you should be playing. It's common sense," Ross-Dakich argued. She posited that if women's sports leagues continue to integrate biological males, women athletes could be "phased out" and potentially lose opportunities.
The debate over transgender athletes in sports has drawn commentary from various public figures. Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has also questioned stances on the issue, and sports figures like Billie Jean King and Megan Rapinoe have previously spoken about the inclusion of transgender athletes.