WNBA seeks feedback on transgender issues | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has sent a memo to teams asking for feedback as the league continues discussions about transgender athletes in women’s basketball. The memo, obtained by The Associated Press, was sent Friday afternoon and says Engelbert expects the topic to draw major attention. She noted it will be reviewed further by a task force of team presidents and general managers at a meeting scheduled next week. The league has not issued public comments. Engelbert emphasized that the WNBA will handle the issue “thoughtfully” and “respectfully,” pointing to its collectively bargained eligibility rules. Those rules state “only players who are women are eligible to play,” though they do not spell out gender identity or sex assigned at birth. The memo also mentions listening sessions with team leaders and ongoing talks with the players’ association, after two former NBA players, Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, declared eligibility for the WNBA Draft.