美国职业篮球联赛WNBA陷入关于跨性别球员参赛资格的激烈争辩。WNBA球员Sophie Cunningham表示，她希望保护年轻女孩"不必与生物男性竞争"[1]，这一言论引发广泛关注。美国总统特朗普随后表示支持Cunningham的立场[1]。
针对这场争议，两名NBA前球员宣布参加明年WNBA选秀以质疑联盟的资格规则。Enes Kanter Freedom在Instagram上写道："如果仅仅宣布你是谁就是唯一要求，那么我满足了在WNBA竞争所需的每一个要求"[1]。Royce White也宣布参加选秀，声称他"有时为了篮球目的认同自己是女性"[1]。
WNBA集体谈判协议规定"只有女性才有资格在WNBA中竞争"[1]，但联盟对此资格的具体界定标准并未公开澄清。联盟委员会主席Cathy Engelbert在备忘录中承诺将"始终以周思考、尊重的方式处理这个议题"[1]，并表示将在相关会议中讨论此事[1]。目前WNBA中没有公开的跨性别女性球员存在或曾经存在[1]。
WNBA player Sophie Cunningham has sparked significant debate by expressing concerns about protecting young women from competing against "biological males" in sports and locker rooms.[1] Her remarks have prompted former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White to announce their intention to participate in next year's WNBA draft, challenging the league's eligibility standards for transgender athletes.[1]
In response to the controversy, Enes Kanter Freedom stated on Instagram: "If simply announcing who you are is the only requirement, then I have met every requirement needed to compete in the WNBA."[1] Royce White similarly announced his candidacy for the draft, claiming he "sometimes identifies as female for basketball purposes."[1] The WNBA's collective bargaining agreement stipulates that "only women are eligible to compete in the WNBA," though the league has not publicly clarified specific eligibility criteria in response to the mounting criticism.[1]
WNBA League Committee Commissioner Cathy Engelbert indicated in a memo that the league would address the issue "in a thoughtful and respectful manner" during relevant meetings, though detailed policy guidance has not yet been released.[1] Currently, no openly transgender female players exist or have existed in the WNBA.[1] U.S. President Trump has expressed support for Cunningham's position on the matter.[1]