House Republicans ask WNBA to clarify its definition of a woman
A group of Republican representatives sent a letter to the Women’s National Basketball Association demanding a clear definition of “woman” in its player eligibility rule.
Republican lawmakers, led by Rep. Marlin Stutzman, wrote to the Women’s National Basketball Association asking the league to specify what it means by “woman” in its eligibility clause, which currently does not define the term. The letter, also signed by Reps. Erin Houchin, John Rose, Zach Nunn and Sheri Biggs, points to the recent exclusion of former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White from the WNBA draft after they declared themselves women.
It also mentions a confrontation at Wintrust Arena in Chicago where player Natasha Cloud rushed at Kanter Freedom after he wore a shirt stating “WOMAN noun. adult human female.” The representatives argue the league should ensure it remains a space for “biological women” and adopt transparent gender-policy standards, invoking comments from Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham about protecting women’s sports.
