Two fans, a mother and a daughter, were almost removed from their seats and threatened with ejection from the arena during Sunday’s game between the Indiana Fever and the Atlanta Dream for wearing XX-XY Athletics shirts.
Royce White, a former NBA player who has declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft, has now spoken out about what he feels is an injustice done to these two women.
Royce White Bashes WNBA for Nearly Kicking Two Women Out for Wearing XX-XY Athletics Shirts
Two Sophie Cunningham fans from Georgia were asked by security to cover up their XX-XY Athletics shirts at State Farm Arena on Sunday. They claimed later that they were told to cover up their shirts or risk being removed from the game.
XX-XY Athletics is an activist apparel brand that aims to protect women’s sports by advocating against the inclusion of trans athletes. The stance was shared by Fever star Sophie Cunningham last month, prompting a nationwide debate on the matter.
White, who claimed in the wake of the issue that he was declaring for the 2027 WNBA Draft, reiterated his support for the stance and shared his disappointment at the incident.
“As the #1 prospect in WNBA history, I would like to extend an apology to these 2 women. Free speech is a pillar of America and we infringe upon it at our own peril.”
The former NBA player also spoke about the free speech principles now being applied by the Dream and the WNBA and thanked the fans for their bravery.
“I’m not so sure why anybody would be so upset anyway… Chromosomes are just a social construct, science is a cis normative patriarchal oppression. We are moving beyond that. Clock it! Thank you ladies! You’re stunning and brave!” continued White.
The WNBA has since released a statement on this Dream-Fever ordeal, saying, “This should not have happened.” Fans are awaiting a clearer stance from the league on this issue, which has become one of the most polarizing topics in the United States.
The WNBA has demonstrated its commitment to greater inclusivity. They recently criticized attempts to create divisions in the league, saying, “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.”
It remains to be seen what steps the WNBA takes next to resolve this issue. However, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert is under increasing pressure to clarify the league’s stance and develop a solution to this divisive issue.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.