WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert denounced people trying to "sow divisiveness" as the league grapples with debate over transgender athletes. She made comments Thursday before Indiana Fever's 91-85 loss to Dallas Wings at American Airlines Center.

Demonstrators appeared outside the arena since Sophie Cunningham voiced support for barring transgender girls and women from women's sports in an ESPN profile. The league issued a statement criticizing bad faith efforts to use the debate to "demean or marginalize others."

"We're being the center of political football for people who have never watched the WNBA," Engelbert said, echoing NBA commissioner Adam Silver. The CBA states "only players who are women are eligible" but lacks specific language on gender identity.

Earlier this month, Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft, saying they identify as women. Engelbert sent a memo to team presidents saying the league would discuss transgender women in women's basketball. "There's always going to be haters out there and we denounce it," she said.