I figured that I better start the over here than on the basketball board, because it would get moved here in any event.
Two former NBA players have announced they will declare for the 2027 WNBA draft. This may be a stunt, but both players stated they want to test the league's inclusion standards and policies, and it pretty clear they could be the top players picked. Royce White, who is now a Republican politician, indicated he's transgender and identifies as a woman "sometimes… for purpose of basketball, professional basketball." White is 6'8", and played at at 260 lbs, was a first round pick, played through 2018 and while 35, appears to be in playing shape. Enes Caner, 34, is, a 6'10" NBA center, who played professionally for 10 years is saying he is transgender for the right money. Polymaket gives him a 32% chance of being drafted as the top pick, which says something about betting these days. Both these guys look like buff dudes.
The WNBA commissioner, ,rather than declaring this a ruse (though both former players of course now have retained legal representation), indicated instead the issue of biological men playing in the WNBA is a "very nuanced issue." She said she was appointing a committee to study the issue. WNBA player eligibility rules are governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement, meaning they aren't at the sole discretion of WNBA leadership, but the Commish did say "preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition will always remain among the league's highest priorities." I'm sure that gives everyone a clear picture of her thinking (sarcasm intended).
The WNBA players association released a statement insisting they will not be used as "political pawns" and condemning hate while calling for stronger Title IX protections, whatever that means in this context. It is not clear if tthe players want the WNBA to define "woman" by biology or open the door to biological men who would immediately dominate, or perhaps even develop some form of trans standard whereby trans players would have to meet some sort of criteria, which itself raises a lot of questions and consequences, and do away with the current standard of simple self- identification. But is clear the players do really, condemn hate.
Two former NBA players have announced they will declare for the 2027 WNBA draft. This may be a stunt, but both players stated they want to test the league's inclusion standards and policies, and it pretty clear they could be the top players picked. Royce White, who is now a Republican politician, indicated he's transgender and identifies as a woman "sometimes… for purpose of basketball, professional basketball." White is 6'8", and played at at 260 lbs, was a first round pick, played through 2018 and while 35, appears to be in playing shape. Enes Caner, 34, is, a 6'10" NBA center, who played professionally for 10 years is saying he is transgender for the right money. Polymaket gives him a 32% chance of being drafted as the top pick, which says something about betting these days. Both these guys look like buff dudes.
The WNBA commissioner, ,rather than declaring this a ruse (though both former players of course now have retained legal representation), indicated instead the issue of biological men playing in the WNBA is a "very nuanced issue." She said she was appointing a committee to study the issue. WNBA player eligibility rules are governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement, meaning they aren't at the sole discretion of WNBA leadership, but the Commish did say "preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition will always remain among the league's highest priorities." I'm sure that gives everyone a clear picture of her thinking (sarcasm intended).
The WNBA players association released a statement insisting they will not be used as "political pawns" and condemning hate while calling for stronger Title IX protections, whatever that means in this context. It is not clear if tthe players want the WNBA to define "woman" by biology or open the door to biological men who would immediately dominate, or perhaps even develop some form of trans standard whereby trans players would have to meet some sort of criteria, which itself raises a lot of questions and consequences, and do away with the current standard of simple self- identification. But is clear the players do really, condemn hate.
