WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Marlin Stutzman (IN-03) sent a letter to Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) commissioner Cathy Engelbert asking her to address the league’s failure to define what a “woman” is according to its collective bargaining agreement, the lack of a uniform policy for addressing players and coaches who instigate verbal confrontations with fans, and the WNBA’s repeated lack of consequences for intentional, dangerous physical contact on the court.
Former National Basketball Association player and WNBA prospect Enes Kanter Freedom said of the letter, “It’s time for the WNBA to explain themselves, and it’s time for the WNBA to ensure safety and fairness for all players and fans.” Three-time Olympic champion Nancy Hogshead, J.D., OLY said, “It’s time for the WNBA to protect what generations of women fought to build: the female category.”
Fox News OutKick first covered the letter in an exclusive article by Amber Harding.
Congressman Stutzman is joined by Congresswoman Sheri Biggs (SC-03), Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09), Congressman John W. Rose (TN-06), and Congressman Zach Nunn (IA-03) on the letter.
"The WNBA needs to stop denying common sense and admit that biological males have no place in their league,” said Rep. Stutzman. “Their delay in addressing this crucial matter has already caused disruptions to games and created a mockery of the organization whose eligibility standards should be defined by looking no further than the league name. Secondly, the WNBA must answer for its failure to administer just consequences for players' continued intentional, dangerous physical contact on the court.”
“Ever since I declared for the WNBA draft, the league has been completely silent and unable to explain their own rules," said Enes Kanter Freedom. "The reason why the league has been silent is simple: the WNBA cannot define a woman and their current rules do not prevent me from playing in the league. It’s time for the WNBA to explain themselves, and it’s time for the WNBA to ensure safety and fairness for all players and fans. Thank you Congressman Stutzman and your colleagues for demanding answers to these critical questions.”
“I’ve spent decades fighting for safe and equal opportunities for women in sports, both as an athlete and as a civil rights attorney," said Nancy Hogshead, J.D., OLY. "As a three-time Olympic gold medalist, I underwent sex verification myself—it was a simple cheek swab—and I know firsthand why clear eligibility standards matter. I only wish we’d had similarly effective safeguards to catch the systematic doping of East German women swimmers in my era. That’s why I support Rep. Stutzman’s letter and launched my Change.org petition calling on the WNBA to define “woman” as female. Without clear standards, male intrusion is inevitable—males have competed in every level of female sport, from elite international competitions, to schools, professional leagues, and masters leagues. It’s time for the WNBA to protect what generations of women fought to build: the female category.”
“The WNBA must answer for its failure to keep players safe,” said Rep. Houchin (IN-09). “Professional sports organizations have a responsibility to provide athletes with a safe and professional environment where they can perform at the highest level.”
“My colleagues and I remain concerned about incidents surrounding both the WNBA and Commissioner Cathy Engelbert,” said Rep. Biggs (SC-03). “The league has refused to directly address the treatment of players and fans who support protecting women's sports. The debate on player eligibility has continued to spiral because the WNBA won’t define what a woman is. It’s past time for stronger standards to protect women and restore confidence in the game.”
