The WNBA has held formal discussions about transgender athlete eligibility as debate surrounding the issue continues to intensify around the league.
A task force made up of WNBA team presidents and general managers met Wednesday, but no new eligibility rules were agreed upon, according to ESPN.
The league addressed the discussions in a lengthy statement following the meeting.
“Today’s meeting covered a wide range of topics, including ongoing discussions on transgender athletes and the continued hate and vitriol directed at players online,” the statement read. “We will continue to engage all league stakeholders in the coming weeks and months. We will approach these important conversations thoughtfully and in alignment with the values of our league. There are no immediate eligibility matters affecting the WNBA and we strongly denounce the bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalize others.”
The issue has received increased attention in recent weeks, particularly around Indiana Fever games. Demonstrators both supporting and opposing transgender inclusion have staged rallies after Fever guard Sophie Cunningham publicly supported preventing transgender girls and women from competing in girls’ and women’s sports in an ESPN article.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert had previously informed teams that the task force would discuss the subject during its already-scheduled meeting.
The league currently does not have a publicly available policy detailing eligibility requirements for transgender or intersex athletes.
Under the collective bargaining agreement signed in March, “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.” However, the agreement does not provide an additional definition of “women.”
The situation attracted further attention Friday when former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft after saying they identify as women.
No known transgender woman has played in the WNBA. Nonbinary players Layshia Clarendon and AD Durr have competed in the league, with both having been born female.
The wider debate has also brought increased scrutiny toward players and teams.
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