Megan Rapinoe blasted Enes Kanter on Thursday following the former NBA player’s confrontation with Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud. The USWNT legend called out Kanter and others who oppose biological men competing against women, accusing them of being “bad-faith actors.”
But Rapinoe’s lengthy criticism ended with a statement that quickly caught the attention of the sports world, with some fans finding an ironic twist in her choice of words.
Sports World Spots Ironic Twist in Megan Rapinoe’s Scathing Enes Kanter and WNBA Comments
The controversy began during the third quarter of the Sky’s game against the Indiana Fever on Sunday. Cloud appeared to confront Kanter from the court, while the former NBA lottery pick responded by extending his arms toward her. Arena security stepped in before the two could get any closer.
A day later, Kanter, who has since been banned from attending Sky home games, told Fox News that he was at the arena to support the Fever and Sophie Cunningham. The former Phoenix Mercury guard, like Kanter, has spoken in favor of keeping women’s sports exclusive to biological females.
Rapinoe addressed the incident on Thursday’s episode of her “Why Are You Like This?” podcast. The two-time World Cup winner accused Kanter and others who share his views on transgender athletes of “tearing down women period and women’s sports.”
She also argued that the WNBA’s unprecedented rise in popularity “has come hand-in-hand with the rise of hate and discrimination.”
Then came the line that sparked the reaction.
JUST IN: Megan Rapinoe blasts Enes Kanter Freedom & declares women’s sports “do not need men” to be successful. pic.twitter.com/JrtgtismAi
— Polymarket (@Polymarket) August 28, 2026
The 2012 London Olympics gold medal winner capped off her remarks by saying, “We do not need men in the WNBA, or women’s sports in general, to make it successful.”
Rapinoe’s closing statement promptly drew sarcastic, humorous, and ironic reactions from the sports world.
“Sounds like Rapinoe is agreeing with Kanter on no XYs in XX sports, no?” a free-speech proponent tweeted.
Sounds like Rapinoe is agreeing with Kanter on no XYs in XX sports, no?
— Dave Daucher (@DaveDaucher) August 28, 2026
“Isn’t that the point Enes is trying to make?” an X user wondered about the same thing.
“Enes Kanter Freedom jokingly declares for the WNBA Draft to make a point about biological men competing in women’s sports. Megan Rapinoe responds by attacking him and declaring women’s sports ‘do not need men.’ You walked directly into the point, Megan,” Clown World posted.
Enes Kanter Freedom jokingly declares for the WNBA Draft to make a point about biological men competing in women’s sports.
Megan Rapinoe responds by attacking him and declaring women’s sports “do not need men.”
You walked directly into the point, Megan. 😂 pic.twitter.com/nnPbEUdEzu
— Clown World ™ 🤡 (@ClownWorld) August 28, 2026
“That was Enes’ point…the point that’s under attack by her and others,” a conservative pointed out for the legendary winger.
“That’s been the point all along, Megan lol,” another sports fan underscored the irony.
That’s been the point all along Megan lol
— Selah (@Cipher350892) August 28, 2026
“Miss Freedom also does not think women’s sports needs men. Not sure why Rapinoe mad at her,” another X user tweeted.
To be clear, Rapinoe and Kanter remain on opposing sides of a deeply polarizing debate that has stretched well beyond sports. Rapinoe said in a 2022 interview with TIME that she is “100% supportive of trans inclusion,” while Kanter has repeatedly said he is not anti-trans or anti-LGBTQ and describes his position as being “pro-woman.”
Their positions in the transgender athlete debate remain far apart, but Rapinoe’s final remark gave critics an opening they were more than happy to run with. In a debate that rarely lacks drama, the irony practically wrote its own punchline.
All these idiots not understanding that trans women are not men, that’s the actual point.
No