The transgender controversy surrounding the WNBA

The WNBA is still in the midst of its 2026 season and yet it is next year's Draft for North America's top women's basketball league that is dominating the headlines.

Why? Because some former men's NBA players have declared they will enter for selection - citing the current eligibility guidelines, or lack of, for transgender women players.

"I'm officially declaring myself a WNBA prospect," said Enes Kanter Freedom, who played 11 seasons in the NBA.

It is the latest development in a story ignited by a comment made by Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham, who said she wanted to protect young girls "who shouldn't have to go against biological men" in sport.

Her words have instigated protests - albeit not grand in scale - on both sides of the argument, and once again catapulted the debate around transgender women in sport into the spotlight.

How did we get here?

Last month, Cunningham, one of the league's most high-profile players, gave an interview to ESPN , external in which the conversation turned to the topic of "protecting" women's sports.

The Indiana Fever guard said she had received criticism from people who believed she "hated" transgender people, something she denied.

She said she wanted to "extend love" to everyone, but added: "I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men."

She later doubled down on her comments, saying it was "common sense" , external to bar transgender athletes from competing in women's sports.

Her words quickly moved beyond basketball and into a wider political debate in the United States.

President Donald Trump expressed his support for Cunningham, while vice-president JD Vance said she was "inspiring".

Though the 29-year-old later said she is "not a very political person", her remarks have followed her around the country. Competing rallies from critics and supporters were organised at Indiana's games, along with small-scale protests.

The scale of the debate in the media, online and in politics was striking given no openly transgender woman is due to play, or has ever played, in the WNBA.

What do the rules say?

The WNBA operates under a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), a deal negotiated between the league and its players association (WNBPA), setting rules on matters including player salary caps, revenue sharing, benefits and overall league operations.

On player eligibility, the CBA states: "Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA."

The WNBA has yet to comment publicly on the row since Cunningham's comments but league commissioner Cathy Engelbert reportedly sent a memo to teams last week in which she said the matter would be discussed at an upcoming pre-arranged meeting with team presidents.

In the memo, seen by the Associated Press , external , Engelbert said the league would "always approach this topic thoughtfully, respectfully, and in alignment with the longstanding values of our league".

She added: "Our player eligibility rules, unlike the eligibility rules of some other leagues and governing bodies, are collectively bargained. Preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition will always remain among the league's highest priorities."

However, the lack of detail in the league's eligibility criteria has been brought to light by Kanter Freedom, who finished his playing career with the Boston Celtics in 2022.

"If simply declaring who you are is all that's required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA," he wrote on Instagram , external .

Kanter Freedom, who has previously spoken out about human rights violations in China and Turkey, among other issues, added: "I know my presence on the court will stir up strong opinions. I am definitely not here to mock, make fun of, or disrespect any community or personal choices.

"I'm simply asking that the current rules be applied equally to everyone - the rules that represent the very values many WNBA players and coaches have publicly advocated for."

A day after Kanter Freedom's 'announcement', Royce White - who made three appearances in the NBA as a player and is now a Republican Senate candidate - said he would also declare for the Draft, adding: "I identify as sometimes identifying as a woman for purpose of basketball."

Whether the vagueness of the rules are by design to leave it open to transgender women or a sign of an oversight that genuinely needs tightening up is not clear.

BBC Sport has contacted Cunningham's representatives, the WNBA and WNBPA for comment.

What has the reaction been?

Cunningham's comments have become a flashpoint inside a league which has a long history of player activism on issues including race, gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights.

The players' association did not mention Cunningham by name when it eventually addressed the debate.

In a statement the WNBPA denounced "hate abuse and demonisation of the transgender community" and reaffirmed its commitment to "justice, equity, diversity and inclusion".

It called on fans to report abusive behaviour at games and added that it would continue to have "hard" conversations but it "will not be used as political pawns".

There is strong feeling on both sides of the argument. Minnesota Lynx head coach and president Cheryl Reeve, who said: "I come from a space of inclusion.

"The narrative that I think is problematic is to suggest that transgender athletes are the biggest problem in women's sports."

Reeve wore a "Trans Kids Belong" T-shirt before Minnesota played Indiana earlier this month and was seen speaking to Cunningham on court before the game.

Cunningham later said the pair had exchanged their perspectives and that the conversation ended with "love and respect".

Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams said she would welcome a transgender athlete "on my team or against my team, any time".

Last month, the WNBA suspended Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton from attending the team's next five home games after an exchange with two fans, who were sat courtside displaying signs thanking Cunningham for "speaking up for girls".

Keaton reportedly confronted the teenage fans and admonished them during the game. The Storm have since apologised.

As for Cunningham, the attention has increasingly become an unwelcome distraction.

Having defended her original comments, she said recently that she now wanted the conversation to return to what was happening on court.

"I want to get back to basketball, it's always been about basketball" she said, arguing that the standard of play in the WNBA was being overshadowed by issues away from the game.

But that may prove difficult, as pressure grows on the league to clarify exactly who is eligible to play.

What are the rules in other sports?

In recent years, many governing bodies in sport have amended their rules about the inclusion of transgender athletes at the elite level, moving more towards restrictions.

Athletics, cycling and aquatics, for example, have implemented outright bans on transgender women taking part in women's events.