Ex-NBA Stars Troll WNBA: “Draft Us Now!”
The WNBA, Transgender Athletes, and the Culture War: A Simple Guide
What Started All This Fuss?
Imagine a big argument happening on the internet and TV. It’s not about a game that happened last night—it’s about a made-up situation that doesn’t exist yet.
Here’s the short version: No transgender athletes are trying to join the WNBA right now. But a lot of people are shouting about it anyway.
The Publicity Stunt by Former NBA Players
Last week, two former NBA players—Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White—did something strange. They demanded to be allowed into the 2027 WNBA Draft.
Why is this weird?
- They are men who used to play in the men’s league.
- They are not transgender women living as women in daily life.
- Royce White even said: “I identify as sometimes identifying as a woman for purposes of… professional basketball.”
- He posted photos wearing a wig and called it his “feminine era.”
This was a joke. A stunt. A way to mock transgender people and troll the WNBA. They threatened to sue if the league said no.
Sophie Cunningham’s Comments Lit the Match
The real spark? A comment from Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham.
In an ESPN interview, she said:
“Biological men should not compete in women’s sports.”
She called it “common sense” to protect young girls and Title IX (a law that helps girls get fair chances in school sports).
Who is Sophie Cunningham?
- She’s a WNBA player.
- Known for speaking her mind.
- Nicknamed “MAGA Barbie” in college because she follows conservative influencers online.
- Her words became fuel for a bigger political fire.
The Political Response: From TV to the White House
This wasn’t just sports talk. It became politics.
What happened next:
- Activist groups protested outside WNBA games.
- MAGA influencers (like swimmer-turned-activist Riley Gaines) jumped in.
- President Trump signed an executive order in February 2025 called:
“Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.”
→ It says the government will cut funding to groups that let transgender women play in women’s sports. - White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said:
“It’s completely ludicrous that anyone could support that… We want to protect women and girls.”
What the WNBA Actually Says
The league is not happy with how this is being twisted.
Official WNBA Statement:
“There are no immediate eligibility matters affecting the WNBA, and we strongly denounce the bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalize others.”
The Actual Rule (From the 2026 CBA – Collective Bargaining Agreement):
Article XIII, Section 1(a):
“Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.”
But here’s the catch: The rule does not define what “woman” means.
So there’s no written policy saying “if you say you’re a woman, you’re in.”
Sophie Cunningham Responds to Backlash
She says she doesn’t hate transgender people:
“I never once said that. I think that I am here to extend love… But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room… who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
Still, the hate got so bad that her name is reportedly banned on the WNBA subreddit.
You can’t even type: Cunningham, Sophie, sc, soph, sophiacunningham — they’re all blocked.
The Surprise Twist: More People Are Watching!
Even though this was a fake controversy meant to hurt the league…
ESPN reported its second-most-watched regular season WNBA game in 30 years!
New York Liberty vs. Indiana Fever → 2 million viewers on average.
A culture war meant to tear the league down might actually be bringing new fans in.
Important Points to Remember
No transgender athletes are currently trying to join the WNBA.
The former NBA players’ demand was a stunt to mock trans inclusion.
Sophie Cunningham’s opinion started a political firestorm, not a league crisis.
The WNBA has no self-ID policy — the rule just says “women,” with no definition.
Viewership went UP during the controversy.
This is part of a larger national culture war, not a sports problem.
Summary
| Topic | What Really Happened |
|---|---|
| Trans athletes in WNBA? | None currently. No applications. No policy change. |
| Kanter Freedom & White | Stunt to mock trans people & troll the league. |
| Sophie Cunningham | Said “biological men” shouldn’t play in women’s sports. |
| Politics | Trump signed executive order; MAGA influencers amplified it. |
| WNBA Response | Denounced “bad-faith” narratives. No rule change. |
| Viewership | Hit 30-year high (2M viewers) during the noise. |
FAQ: Your Questions, Answered Simply
1. Are there transgender women playing in the WNBA right now?
No. There are zero transgender women on WNBA rosters, and none have applied for the draft.
2. Did the WNBA change its rules to allow self-identification?
No. The rule says “only women,” but doesn’t define “woman.” There’s no official self-ID policy.
3. Why did former NBA players ask to join the WNBA draft?
It was a publicity stunt to mock transgender inclusion and get attention. They don’t actually want to play.
4. Why is Sophie Cunningham so controversial?
She made comments supporting bans on trans women in sports. Some call it “protecting women”; others call it “transphobic.” Her name was even banned on the WNBA Reddit forum.
5. Has this hurt the WNBA’s popularity?
Surprisingly, no. The Liberty vs. Fever game got 2 million viewers — the second-highest in 30 years. The drama may have brought in curious new fans.
Final Thought:
Sometimes, the loudest arguments are about things that aren’t even happening. The WNBA is just playing basketball — while the rest of the world argues about a phantom problem. And somehow… more people are watching than ever.