Enes Kanter Freedom announced on Friday that he would be declaring himself for the 2027 WNBA Draft after him and his team found a loophole to permit his entry into the women’s league.
Freedom is a former basketball player who is now a right wing activist who has been outspoken in his criticism of trans athletes, with this latest ploy an attempt to undermine and satirise the sports framework around the trans issue.
In a post on X, Freedom said: “My team and I have carefully examined the WNBA’s eligibility criteria and governing framework surrounding self-identification and inclusion. Based on the current guidelines, I can and am officially declaring my eligibility for the upcoming WNBA Draft in April 2027.
“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.”
The tweet has garnered huge levels of debate discourse with vociferous levels of support and criticism.
Article 13, Section 1 of the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement states that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.”
Article 34, Section 6 of the collective bargaining agreement lays out a prohibition on any form of discrimination or bias. It states that the league, the teams, and player unions cannot unfairly treat players “because of religion, race, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, or activity or lack of activity.”
The WNBA has no official public policy on transgender athletes and their eligibility to play in the league, with the rules containing no mention of transgenders. There has only been one transgender athlete to compete in the sport in Layisha Clarendon, who enjoyed a 12-year career in the WNBA. However, she came out as trans and non-binary having already become an established player in the league for seven years, thus avoiding some of the controversy that would come the way of a trans athlete looking to break into the sport.
Those in favour of stricter rules argue there should be tests to determine an athlete’s eligibility to compete. Proponents of this viewpoint often argue for the use of SRY gene tests, a method which was used at the World Athletics Championships last year.
However, testing athletes can lead to ethically and morally murky waters, often proving to be humiliating and dehumanising. Zambian footballer Barbra Branda suffered shocking levels of racist and anti-trans abuse after she failed a test which showed she had elevated levels of testosterone.
Whether it is right to test athletes, and often inflict embarrassment and chagrin on them in the process in order to work out their eligibility, is the controversial cornerstone in the trans debate in sport.
The WNBA released a statement on transgender athletes shortly after Freedom’s declaration of intent, exalting the inclusive values that underpin the league while refusing to be part of a political statement.
“We embrace justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion,” the statement read. “Those are the values that unite this Union and allow it to protect women’s sports while creating transformational change. Hate, abuse, and demonisation of any person or group of people, including transgender people, only fuel fear, division, and harm. We will continue to have hard conversations. But we will not be used as political pawns.”
Freedom’s latest public display may have got him a lot of attention, but given the WNBA’s vague rules on transgender athletes and their latest statement, particularly the last line of it which is a not so subtle aim at Freedom, it is unlikely we will see the former NBA player plying his trade in the WNBA anytime soon.
GiveMeSport heads to Park Hall to experience European football with The New Saints as they look to continue their UEFA Conference League journey.
Lee Wilmot travels to Wales for a behind-the-scenes look at The New Saints’ home, taking in the stadium before kick-off as the Welsh club prepares for a crucial European qualifier. From the journey to Park Hall to the unusual surroundings of one of the competition’s smaller grounds, we get an up-close look at a major night for TNS.
Rangers have reportedly submitted an offer to sign Hugo Siquet from Club Brugge, according to Foot Mercato.
The Glasgow club have been incredibly busy in the summer transfer window so far, and they are closing in on their latest deal.
Reports suggest that Rangers are advancing in their work to sign PSV winger Couhaib Driouech as they aim to add another forward to their squad.
Derek McInnes’s side have already brought in a host of new additions in the summer transfer window, which is no surprise after their disappointing 2025/2026 season.
If Rangers want to catch up with their rivals Celtic and snatch away the Scottish Premiership title, then it always had to be a busy summer.
According to a report from Foot Mercato, Rangers have now submitted an initial offer to Club Brugge for Siquet in the summer transfer window.
Reports recently emerged that the Scottish Premiership side were interested in the Belgian international, but they’ve now made their first move to try to secure his signature.
Siquet has attracted the interest of several European clubs, but Rangers are determined to get ahead of the competition to bring him in this summer.
Rangers are in the market to sign a new right back after James Tavernier left the club following the expiration of his contract.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
As mentioned, Rangers are trying to make a serious dent in the market during the summer transfer window.
McInnes’s side have already made a host of new additions, but they are still pushing to bring in more players over the coming weeks and months. Their confirmed additions are as follows:
The Glasgow club acted fast to bring in a number of different loan signings and free agents and have now started to invest transfer fees to bring in more players.
There’s no doubt they needed multiple new additions. It’ll be interesting to see how much more they spend in the coming weeks.
Arsenal are weighing up a potential move to hijack Liverpool’s attempts to sign Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola in the summer transfer window.
The Gunners have been in the market to sign a new forward during the summer, with Vinicius Jr and Morgan Rogers key targets.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, they’ve missed out on both, with Vinicius signing a new deal at Real Madrid and Rogers joining Premier League rivals Chelsea.
The North London club likely remains in the market for a new winger, especially after Leandro Trossard left the club.
Signing a winger who’s capable of playing on either side would be hugely beneficial, but they’ll certainly want a starter on the left.
According to a report from Football Insider, Arsenal are now weighing up whether to make a move to hijack Liverpool’s pursuit of PSG winger Barcola in the summer transfer window.
It’s claimed that PSG’s £145 million valuation of Barcola would be an issue for the Gunners, but they could pay up to £100 million to secure his signature.
The report suggests that Arsenal are now ready to rival Liverpool for Barcola, but it’s likely to be a long-drawn-out saga towards the end of the window.
Liverpool have been pushing hard to bring him to Anfield this summer, as they aim to add another winger following the departure of Mohamed Salah.
It’s already a competitive race for his signature, and Arsenal could be about to make things interesting.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
It would be interesting to discover whether Barcola would be interested in a move to the Emirates Stadium, but it would certainly make sense.
The French international, described as ‘elite’ by journalist James Pearce, is undoubtedly one of the best young wingers in world football. Moving to Arsenal could be an attractive prospect for him.
The Gunners have just won the Premier League title while also reaching the Champions League final.
There is also every chance that Barcola would arrive at Arsenal and instantly become a regular starter, so it’s a move that would make sense for both parties.
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