Kanter, White WNBA eligibility: Navratilova reacts to former NBA stars’ challenge

Martina Navratilova has reacted with concern to the WNBA Draft eligibility debate after former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White said they plan to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft. Their announcements have put fresh attention on the league’s current rules, which say women can play but do not clearly explain how gender eligibility should be decided. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has now said league executives will discuss the issue next week.Martina Navratilova questions WNBA rules after Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White announcementsEnes Kanter Freedom, an 11-year NBA veteran, said he had studied the WNBA’s eligibility rules before declaring himself eligible for the April 2027 draft. He argued that the current wording allows him to make the same claim as anyone else who identifies as a woman.Royce White followed with his own announcement. The former Sacramento Kings player said he identifies as a woman for professional basketball and plans to enter the same draft. White played only three NBA games during the 2013-14 season.The announcements are being treated as a challenge to the WNBA’s rules rather than normal draft entries. White has also called for the league to clearly explain its position. The current WNBA collective bargaining agreement says only players who are women are eligible, but it does not spell out a detailed test for gender eligibility.That is where Navratilova’s reaction comes in. The 18-time Grand Slam champion said, “The gates have opened. This will force putting in a meaningful rule I hope….” Her point was simple: if the wording can be used to make claims like these, the league may need to make its standard clearer.Cathy Engelbert has since said the issue will be discussed by WNBA team presidents and general managers at a meeting next week. The league has not announced a new eligibility rule or said that either Freedom or White has been accepted into the draft.Martina Navratilova backs Aryna Sabalenka over WTA genetic sex testing policyNavratilova’s latest WNBA comments also fit with her recent support for a stricter approach in women’s sport. In July, she backed Aryna Sabalenka after the WTA introduced a one-time genetic test for female players. The test checks for the SRY gene, which is linked to the development of male characteristics.Sabalenka had said she did not believe it was fair for female athletes to compete against biological males. When Sportbible described her comments as controversial, Navratilova pushed back. “There is nothing controversial about Aryna’s take on the WTA policy at all. Also- it is not a transgender policy- it’s a sex test for the SRY gene. Period,” she wrote.Under the new WTA policy, players must complete the test once as part of the women’s eligibility process. Sportbible reported that testing can involve a cheek swab, blood or saliva sample. The WTA’s official rules also confirm that its women’s eligibility policy applies to players competing on Tour.Navratilova has also defended the policy itself. Her response to the WNBA debate now shows the same concern about clear rules in women’s professional sport, especially when existing wording leaves room for different interpretations.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.