NBA Legends Troll WNBA: ‘Draft Us Now!’
The WNBA, Transgender Athletes, and the Culture War: A Simple Guide
What’s Going On?
Imagine a big argument breaking out at a playground—but nobody is actually trying to join the game.
That’s basically what’s happening with the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) right now.
A handful of former NBA players, politicians, and influencers are making a lot of noise about transgender athletes joining the league—even though no transgender player is currently trying to play.
How Did This Start?
1. A Publicity Stunt by Former NBA Players
- Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White (both former NBA players) announced they want to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft.
- White, who recently lost a Republican Senate primary in Minnesota, says he “identifies as sometimes identifying as a woman.”
- He posted photos wearing a wig, calling it his “feminine era.”
- Why? To mock transgender people and troll the WNBA’s inclusion policies.
- They even threatened legal action if the league says no.
Important: This isn’t a real attempt to play. It’s a stunt designed to get attention and stir up outrage.
2. A Player’s Comments Lit the Fuse
- Sophie Cunningham, a guard for the Indiana Fever, told ESPN:
“Biological men should not compete in women’s sports.”
She called it “common sense” to protect young girls and Title IX (a law that bans sex discrimination in education). - Cunningham has a history of engaging with conservative influencers on social media.
- Nicknamed “MAGA Barbie” by critics.
- Her comments drew protests outside WNBA games and fueled right-wing media.
3. The White House Weighed In
- In February 2025, President Trump signed an executive order:
“Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” - It threatens to cut federal funding from schools/organizations that don’t define sex as “gender assigned at birth.”
- Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt backed Cunningham, calling criticism of her “astonishing.”
What Does the WNBA Actually Say?
| Claim | Reality |
|---|---|
| “Trans women are about to flood the league!” | False. No trans players are slated to join. |
| “Self-ID is all you need to play!” | False. The CBA says “Only players who are women are eligible”—but doesn’t define “woman.” |
| “The league is staying silent!” | False. The WNBA denounced “bad-faith efforts to demean or marginalize others.” |
Key Point: The WNBA has no rule banning trans athletes—but it also has no trans athletes trying to join.
What Does Sophie Cunningham Say Now?
- She insists: “I don’t hate trans people.”
- Says she wants to “extend love”—but also “truth.”
- Worries about locker rooms and fair competition for young girls.
- Her name has reportedly been banned on the WNBA subreddit (words like “Cunningham,” “Sophie,” “sc” are blocked).
The Plot Twist: More People Are Watching
- ESPN reported its second-most-watched regular-season WNBA game in 30 years last week.
- New York Liberty vs. Indiana Fever averaged 2 million viewers.
- The outrage machine may have accidentally grown the fanbase.
Irony: A culture war meant to hurt the league might be helping it.
Summary
- No trans athletes are trying to join the WNBA right now.
- Former NBA players staged a fake draft demand to mock trans inclusion.
- Sophie Cunningham’s comments sparked protests and political fire.
- Trump’s executive order targets trans inclusion in all women’s sports.
- The WNBA says: “Only women can play”—but doesn’t define “woman.”
- Cunningham says she’s protecting girls, not hating trans people.
- Viewership is up—controversy may be creating new fans.
FAQ
Are there any transgender players in the WNBA right now?
No. The league has confirmed there are no immediate eligibility matters involving trans athletes.
Does the WNBA allow self-identification as the only requirement?
No. The Collective Bargaining Agreement says “Only players who are women are eligible”—but it doesn’t define “woman.” There’s no official self-ID policy.
Why did former NBA players ask to enter the WNBA draft?
It was a stunt. They wanted to mock trans inclusion and provoke a reaction—not actually play.
What did President Trump’s executive order do?
It tells schools and sports groups that receive federal money to define sex as “gender assigned at birth”—or risk losing funding.
Has this controversy hurt the WNBA’s popularity?
Surprisingly, no. A recent Liberty–Fever game drew 2 million viewers—the second-highest in 30 years. The noise may have brought in new fans.
Bottom Line:
A made-up controversy about a problem that doesn’t exist has sparked real protests, a presidential order, and a subreddit ban—but also record viewership.
Sometimes, outrage backfires.