WNBA Task Force Meets To Discuss Transgender Athlete Policy Amid Growing Debate

A WNBA task force met to discuss transgender athletes amid an ongoing debate over league policy or lack thereof. The league is celebrating its 30th season, which is being overshadowed by off-the-court topics. Last month, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham commented during an ESPN interview in which she spoke about "protecting" women's sports and that women should not have to compete with biological men. Since Cunningham's comments, debates have sparked nationwide. Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve wore a shirt to support transgender athletes while she spoke to Cunningham before their teams faced each other, and two former NBA players claimed they identified as women. When the Seattle Storm and Fever played, Cunningham was later asked about her stance after a riot outside the game took place; she doubled down and said it's "common sense." ESPN's Katie Barnes reported on Aug. 12 that the WNBA task force met and discussed transgender athletes. The meeting took place on Wednesday, and it included team presidents and general managers. WNBA Discusses Current Eligibility Framework The league released a statement on Aug. 12 explaining what was covered during the meeting. The task force covered topics around transgender athletes and online hate directed toward players. Currently, the WNBA doesn't have a policy regarding transgender or intersex athletes. This offseason, the league signed an historic collective bargaining agreement that only covers women in the WNBA. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who has been criticized of late, has been on top of recent updates on transgender issues. No transgender women are playing in the league. As the league continues to grow, there has been an increase in fans, critics, scepticism, and hate. Recently, former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft, saying they identify as women. Despite the CBA mentioning women, there is no detailed definition of a woman. While politicians weigh in on the league and transgender rights around the world, the population doesn't align with the argument that trans athletes are taking over sports. According to SF.Gov, a centralized database for local government and data for the City and County of San Francisco, trans people only make up one to two percent of the population in the United States, and 0.002 percent make up college athletes, and only 0.001 percent in the Olympics identify as trans. WNBA Pushes Back Against Online Hate Recently Indiana head coach has been vocal and expressed her opinion on the hate centered around the league and claiming it will not win. The league did denounce 'bad-faith' transgender debate and said the league has no eligibility issues.