Former NBA Player Royce White Challenges WNBA Eligibility Standards

Former NBA player Royce White intends to pursue legal action against the WNBA following comments made by Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Engelbert informed Congress that White and Enes Kanter Freedom are ineligible to play due to their gender, as they are men. White communicated to OutKick that Engelbert’s statement does not settle his dispute with the league’s eligibility criteria. He demanded clarity on how the WNBA defines gender.

“We plan to explore every legal avenue to hold the WNBA and NBA community to their stated standards and values,” White stated.

In the context of his declaration for the next WNBA draft, following Kanter Freedom’s announcement, White was asked about Engelbert’s letter possibly activating a prior discrimination lawsuit. White refrained from discussing specifics of legal plans or timelines.

The issue revolves around White’s and Freedom’s declarations to enter the 2027 WNBA draft, asserting their identification as women. White acknowledged that his declaration was “for basketball purposes.” Engelbert reaffirmed the league’s stance via an Oct. 16 statement addressing Republican lawmakers. “Only women are eligible to play in the WNBA, and the individuals you cite in your letter are both men,” Engelbert clarified.

Engelbert’s response followed a Sept. 17 query from Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., and other Republicans, questioning the WNBA’s definition of “women” under its collective bargaining agreement. They requested responses by Oct. 16. The agreement specifies eligibility for “players who are women,” yet lacks detail on gender identity or sex assignment at birth, according to Front Office Sports.

White emphasized Engelbert’s statement didn’t define “women” or explain criteria for categorizing him and Freedom as men. “No, we’re not letting them off that easy,” White said, emphasizing the need for a definition from the WNBA. He also urged NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to engage.

The league previously dismissed the former NBA players’ eligibility claims via statements from league sources in August.

White, presenting himself as an admirer of women’s basketball, recounted his upbringing watching female relatives and local girls’ basketball players. During a halftime discussion with Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, he elaborated on the significance of safeguarding biological females in girls’ and women’s sports.

“I’m a fan of the WNBA. I think the women have progressed significantly,” White expressed. “I’d love to see it not as politicized as it is, because it detracts from the game’s beauty.” He also mentioned his interest in the WNBA Finals and potential game attendance, with security concerns limiting specifics.