Story perspectives

WNBA Bans Enes Kanter Freedom From Chicago Home Games

8/26/2026

Summary

Alter Bans Freedom

Owner Michael Alter banned former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom from Wintrust Arena.
The ban followed Freedom’s ejection during the Sky’s loss to the Indiana Fever on Aug. 23, 2026.
Security, NBA security and Chicago police deemed him a potential threat and escorted him out.
Freedom said he was kicked out for supporting women.
The WNBA issued no league-wide ban, restricting the restriction to Chicago home games.

Summary

Freedom Ineligible

The WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement, signed in March, limits player eligibility to “women” without defining the term.
No publicly available policy currently governs transgender or intersex athlete eligibility in the league.
Sources confirm Kanter Freedom and Royce White are ineligible for the 2027 WNBA Draft after declaring as women.
League officials say no rule changes are expected soon.
The league has not announced attendance restrictions for Kanter Freedom.

1 of 2

Alter Bans Freedom

Owner Michael Alter banned former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom from Wintrust Arena.
The ban followed Freedom’s ejection during the Sky’s loss to the Indiana Fever on Aug. 23, 2026.
Security, NBA security and Chicago police deemed him a potential threat and escorted him out.
Freedom said he was kicked out for supporting women.
The WNBA issued no league-wide ban, restricting the restriction to Chicago home games.

1 / 2