Ladies and gentlemen, we finally have an answer from the WNBA.Sort of.After months of questions about who is eligible to compete in women's professional basketball, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has declared in an official letter that I am not eligible to play in the league.WNBA TELLS CONGRESS THAT ENES KANTER FREEDOM, ROYCE WHITE ARE ‘BOTH MEN’ IN ELIGIBILITY DISPUTEWhy? Because Cuckoo Cathy identified me as a man.I was as shocked as you probably are to learn that a league that can't define what a woman is can so confidently identify a man.But apparently, telling me I can't play wasn't enough.
Now, the WNBA doesn't even want me in the stands as a paying customer.I believe every woman who steps onto a basketball court deserves the opportunity to compete fairly.I believe female athletes deserve to have their concerns heard, even when their opinions are unpopular.
And I believe no athlete should feel pressured to sacrifice her convictions to protect her career.On Wednesday night, I traveled to Atlanta to attend Game 3 of the WNBA Finals.I purchased premium courtside tickets, just like any other basketball fan.
But when I arrived, I was informed that I would not be allowed to sit in the seats I purchased.Instead, they decided I would have to watch the game from a private suite and enter through a private entrance, supposedly for my safety.ENES KANTER FREEDOM GOES SCORCHED EARTH ON LEBRON JAMES, NBA WITH NEW REVELATIONS AFTER WNBA FINALS INCIDENTI appreciate the concern for my safety.But I have spent years speaking out against authoritarian regimes that have threatened my life and my family.
I am certainly not going to hide in a luxury suite because my presence makes someone uncomfortable.I wanted to sit in the seats I paid for, watch the game, and continue standing up for women in sports.But when I refused to be moved out of sight, security denied me entry.
I was escorted away from the arena.For the second time, I was prevented from attending a WNBA game w...