Former NBA player Enes Kanter has inserted himself into the WNBA news cycle in a big way.
Kanter was removed from a Chicago Sky game on Aug. 23 and later banned by the team after engaging in a verbal altercation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud. This comes after he chimed in on the transgender athlete debate, vehemently coming out against biological men competing in women’s sports.
His latest move has the WNBA world talking.
WNBA World Divided Over Enes Kanter’s Bold Move
On Thursday, Kanter announced that he has decided to file a lawsuit against the Sky over his ejection, writing on X:
“SEE YOU IN COURT!!! Just filed a federal complaint. I’m taking legal action over my ejection from the @chicagosky game while peacefully exercising my First Amendment rights. My T-shirt did what the whole @WNBA apparently couldn’t: define a woman. No threats. No violence. Just biology. And somehow, that required a security escort. You don’t have to agree with my speech but you don’t get to silence me for it. I will not be intimidated. I will not be silenced. I will continue to stand for women and defend free speech.”
🚨SEE YOU IN COURT!!!
Just filed a federal complaint.
I’m taking legal action over my ejection from the @chicagosky game while peacefully exercising my First Amendment rights.
My T-shirt did what the whole @WNBA apparently couldn’t: define a woman.
No threats. No violence.… pic.twitter.com/LqQO6x4z0X
— Enes Kanter FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) September 3, 2026
The lawsuit triggered a variety of reactions from the WNBA world.
One political account chimed in on Kanter’s side, writing:
“I love this. He gave them every opportunity to define a woman, meet with him, and end this. He even gave them a legit off ramp: ‘define a woman to keep the oppressive men out of your sport.’ Gender ideology is dead. He killed it, and now he’s going to make sure everyone knows it.”
I love this. He gave them every opportunity to define a woman, meet with him, and end this.
He even gave them a legit off ramp: “define a woman to keep the oppressive men out of your sport.”
Gender ideology is dead. He killed it, and now he’s going to make sure everyone knows… https://t.co/pVI9g8FNgG
— American Debunk (@AmericanDebunk) September 3, 2026
That is one side of the spectrum in this debate. Another political-themed account chimed in with a similar message.
“Chicago Sky ownership may have just handed Enes Kanter Freedom the most valuable thing in this entire controversy… discovery,” the user began. “His legal team is already seeking documents identifying who ordered his removal, who authorized the ban, what rules were supposedly violated, and what communications occurred between the Sky, the arena, and the WNBA. And that is where I suspect Chicago’s confidence disappears.
“… My prediction is Chicago eventually writes a very large check, everybody signs an NDA, and the settlement amount disappears behind the words: ‘The parties have resolved the matter amicably.’ Congratulations Enes Kanter FREEDOM… you just became a millionaire… AGAIN.”
Chicago Sky ownership may have just handed Enes Kanter Freedom the most valuable thing in this entire controversy… discovery.
His legal team is already seeking documents identifying who ordered his removal, who authorized the ban, what rules were supposedly violated, and what… https://t.co/Sh4K9zRfS5
— Sports Patriot (@SportsPatriotUS) September 3, 2026
One account even said they were in “shock” over the ejection.
“Yes! Push this thing to the end,” the fan wrote. “I was in shock when they ejected you. Even more troubling there wasn’t one person to step in. Zero reason for you to be ejected.”
Yes! Push this thing to the end. I was in shock when they ejected you. Even more troubling there wasn’t one person to step in. Zero reason for you to be ejected. https://t.co/Eo8gQaviOJ
— BuckThePigpen (@buckthepigpen) September 3, 2026
Yet not everyone shared that mindset. One fan sought to point out the reality regarding Kanter’s lawsuit potentially succeeding.
“This is cute… but the problem is the 1st Amendment protects your free speech from the government…” the user wrote. “And the @WNBA is not a governmental agency nor is the arena a public space and the back of the ticket probably includes an agreement that they can deny entry or eject you without refund at their discretion. This is how arenas and stadiums operate… and what concerns me is the former @NBA Player doesn’t know this…”
This is cute… but the problem is the 1st Amendment protects your free speech from the government… and the @WNBA is not a governmental agency nor is the arena a public space and the back of the ticket probably includes an agreement that they can deny entry or eject you without… https://t.co/M45uzv7y2u
— Av3 M0rt3m (@Av3M0rt3m) September 3, 2026
Another fan chimed in with a mixed take, both agreeing with Kanter and disagreeing at the same time.
“Expose the league?” the user started. “100% yes; Use trans people to make your point? 100% no. What a waste of everyone’s time.”
Expose the league? 100% yes;
Use trans people to make your point? 100% noWhat a waste of everyone’s time https://t.co/gVBkdzLjis
— ErinE (@WhoaNowNelly) September 3, 2026
This is a complex situation and one that is now heading to the courts. Kanter seems eager to prove his point and is doubling down on his initial message with this lawsuit.
