The WNBA is stumped by the letter “W” in its name. And without a definitive common sense answer, the league is going to collapse under a logic pretzel of its own making.

This entire issue started because Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever dared to say something utterly obvious – biological men should not be playing in women’s sports.

She’ll weigh in on how to “protect women’s sports,” she says, because she’s in that world and feels qualified to speak to that world. “I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,'” she says. “I think that I am here to extend love. But 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.”

But she also insists that none of this is some Rosetta Stone to unlocking the true nature of her political worldview.

“I’m very much in the middle. I agree with things on both sides, disagree with things on both sides. And that’s all I’ve ever said about my political beliefs. But people love to assume.”

In the culture of the WNBA, this was the most radical thing that could be said. Other players and coaches declared their support for “trans rights” in order to show off their leftist bona fides, while one of the owners of the Seattle Storm ended up being suspended and fined for screaming in the face of teenage girls who were supporting Sophie Cunningham during a game. The debate has continued on and off the court, with Stephen A. Smith saying that Sophie Cunningham simply pointed out that she wants to “protect young girls,” not “hating” on other people, and he applauded her for that stance.

And then the WNBA had their bluff called. Two former NBA players, Enes Kanter Freedom (a Victory Girls fan favorite) and Royce White both declared that for the purposes of playing basketball, they were declaring themselves women and therefore, they were eligible for the WNBA draft. The left lost their minds, and none other than J.K. Rowling reminded those who were complaining about Freedom and White that there is no litmus test here. It’s all about “sincerity,” and who is to determine if Freedom and Kanter are sincere?

.@AndrewMercado You say some men ‘sincerely’ identify as women, but that these two men aren’t sincere. Do sincere men injure fewer women and girls than the insincere ones? How do we test for sincerity? What if a Sincerity Jury is split? Very much looking forward to your answers. https://t.co/WBg4ez9BKU

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 9, 2026

Well, that put the WNBA commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, in quite the pickle. The league was going to have to “discuss” the issue, but it’s clear from her tone that she would have preferred the unchallenged status quo to continue.

“I know many of you have received questions in recent weeks regarding transgender athlete participation in women’s basketball, and I expect this topic will continue to receive significant attention,” Engelbert wrote in the memo, which was sent Friday afternoon and obtained by The Associated Press. “I wanted to reach out to share how we are approaching these conversations at the league office and to thank those of you who have responded to questions from the media with thoughtfulness and professionalism.”

The memo said the topic will be discussed further by a task force of team presidents and general managers at a previously scheduled meeting next week.

Engelbert wrote that the league will “always approach this topic thoughtfully, respectfully, and in alignment with the longstanding values of our league. Second, our player eligibility rules, unlike the eligibility rules of some other leagues and governing bodies, are collectively bargained. Lastly, preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition will always remain among the league’s highest priorities.”

The league’s collective bargaining agreement states that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA,” but it does not include any more specific language about gender identity or sex assigned at birth. On Friday, two former NBA players, Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft, saying they identify as women.

“We recognize that this is a complex and nuanced topic, and we will continue to have important conversations with all of you and the Players Association in the weeks and months ahead,” Engelbert said in the memo. “We also plan to convene additional discussions and offer listening sessions for any team leaders who would like to participate. Your perspectives and feedback are invaluable, and I appreciate those who have already reached out to share their thoughts.”

Well, that meeting happened last night. And guess what? The WNBA just can’t define what a woman is, or is not. They’re planning on kicking the can down the road and just hoping this all goes away.

The league’s statement Wednesday, in full, reads:

“Today’s meeting covered a wide range of topics, including ongoing discussions on transgender athletes and the continued hate and vitriol directed at players online. We will continue to engage all league stakeholders in the coming weeks and months. We will approach these important conversations thoughtfully and in alignment with the values of our league. There are no immediate eligibility matters affecting the WNBA and we strongly denounce the bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalize others.”

The WNBA has no publicly available policy governing eligibility of transgender or intersex athletes. The 2026 collective bargaining agreement signed in March states that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.” There is no further definition of a woman. On Friday, two former NBA players, Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft, saying they identify as women.

No known transgender woman has ever played in the WNBA. Two known nonbinary athletes have played in the league: Layshia Clarendon and AD Durr. Both players’ birth sex is female. The WNBA has not responded to requests to clarify its policy and how it applies to transgender women, transgender men and nonbinary players.

The WNBA had a meeting to decide on the definition of a woman and couldn’t come to an agreement…pretty much sums that league up perfectly https://t.co/6rUx9NvLgl

— Ian Miller (@ianmSC) August 13, 2026

Meaning that, until a “trans woman” is actually taken seriously by the league, they won’t address it. But what does that mean for those who want to be included in the draft?

The @WNBA says a woman is anyone who claims to be one.

So if I say I’m a woman, you have to accept it.

Those are the rules the #WNBA created.

Why does anyone get to decide whose journey is real and whose isn’t?

Who gets to judge?

Rules Are Rules!#LetFreedomPlay pic.twitter.com/aDY1YElaaz

— Enes Kanter FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) August 12, 2026

It means that the WNBA is stuck. They can’t legally say in the collective bargaining agreement that “only women are eligible” without giving a definition of a woman. If they define a woman biologically, then they will preserve the league as a woman’s sport, and completely piss off the entire leftist fan base. The Women’s March is claiming that this entire issue is “an attack on Title IX” by MAGA, and that “the WBNA was built by Queer & Black women.”

Fifty years ago, Title IX gave girls and women the right to play. Now MAGA wants it gone.

First they banned trans girls from school sports. Called it "protecting women." Then they came for college athletes. Now they're coming for the WNBA.

This was never about trans women in… pic.twitter.com/D5a33SZHwJ

— Women's March (@womensmarch) August 12, 2026

News flash for the Women’s March – Title IX does not apply to professional sports leagues. But the logic being used here is exactly where the problem lies. There is no protection of women’s sports without being able to define what a woman is. And if “transwomen” are allowed, then what is stopping Freedom and White from playing the league? There are no requirements spelled out in the CBA for hormone levels or anything like that. There’s no “sincerity test.” There is no standard of proof that must be met. Could Freedom and White sue if they are blocked? Yes, they could.

The WNBA is completely and totally stuck in a trap of their own making, and there’s no way out of it. They will either make the leftist owners, players, and fans furious, or they could be legally forced to accept any player that fits the eligibility requirements – 22 years old, no more college eligible playing years, and says they are a woman. It’s a lose-lose situation, and they did it to themselves. Commissioner Engelbert is probably hoping that this story dies out, and by the time the draft happens next April, no one cares any more, and the publicity stunts can be easily ignored. I wouldn’t bet on that, but considering the consequences, what choice do these cowards have?

Featured image: original Victory Girls art by Darleen Click