Royce White to Pursue Legal Action Over WNBA Eligibility Decision

Former NBA player Royce White announced he will explore legal avenues after WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told Congress that he and fellow former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom are ineligible to play because they are men. White said Engelbert’s response does not resolve his challenge to the league’s eligibility standards and called for a clear definition of “men” and “women.” The dispute centers on White’s and Freedom’s plans to enter the 2027 WNBA draft after declaring that they identify as women. White has not yet filed a lawsuit or set a timetable, but he urged NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to address the issue. The case follows a congressional inquiry that asked the WNBA to explain how it defines women under its collective bargaining agreement.