Last month, Sophie Cunningham said it was "common sense" to ban transgender women from women's sports, sparking a debate that spread beyond basketball. President Donald Trump and Vice‑President JD Vance voiced support, while Cunningham herself later downplayed her political stance.

The WNBA’s CBA states that only women can play, but the lack of detail was highlighted by former NBA star Enes Kanter Freedom. He posted on Instagram that if declaring who you are is enough, he meets the criteria, and he added he wishes the rules were applied equally. Former NBA player Royce White also announced he would declare for the 2027 Draft.

The league responded cautiously. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert sent a memo saying the issue would be discussed with team presidents. The WNBPA condemned hate abuse and reaffirmed inclusion, while coaches like Cheryl Reeve welcomed transgender athletes. However, incidents such as Celeste Keaton’s suspension after a fan exchange have kept the controversy alive.

Internationally, other sports are tightening rules: the IOC will limit the women’s category to biological females at the 2028 Olympics, and U.S. schools ban trans women from women’s sports. The WNBA faces growing pressure to clarify who is eligible to play.