Royce White Contemplates Legal Action Against WNBA Eligibility Standards

Former NBA player Royce White has announced plans to pursue legal options against the WNBA. This follows comments made by Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to Congress, asserting that White and Enes Kanter Freedom cannot play in the WNBA because they are men. White, speaking to OutKick, has called upon the league to clarify its stance on gender definitions.

White expressed his intention to hold the WNBA and NBA accountable to their public standards and values. He declared for the next WNBA draft after Freedom’s similar announcement.

Asked about a potential discrimination lawsuit, White refrained from providing details or a timeline for any legal proceedings.

The controversy began when White and Freedom aimed to enter the 2027 WNBA draft by claiming they identify as women. In an October 16 statement, Engelbert reaffirmed the league’s policy: “only women are eligible to play in the WNBA,” while categorizing White and Freedom as men.

This response stemmed from a September inquiry by Rep. Marlin Stutzman and other Republicans, seeking an explanation of the WNBA’s gender definitions in their collective bargaining agreement. Although the agreement specifies that only women can play, it lacks explicit language on gender identity or biological sex, according to Front Office Sports.

White insists on the necessity of a clear definition of “man” and “woman” from the WNBA. He emphasizes the need for NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s input on the matter.

In August, league sources already deemed White and Freedom ineligible. White, who has shown support for the women’s game, shares that he grew up admiring female athletes in his community.

White remains a fan of the WNBA, attending games, and is actively watching the ongoing WNBA Finals. He has expressed hopes that the games focus less on politics, advocating for the appreciation of the sport itself.

Jackson Thompson, a Fox News Digital sports reporter, covers significant political and cultural sports issues. Thompson’s articles have influenced Title IX enforcement and have been cited by major media outlets.