NBA legend Charles Barkley has also chimed in on the transgender athlete debate, which continues raging around the WNBA.
Barkley made his position clear during a conversation with Michael Smerconish. His comments also prompted a reaction from Joe Rogan.
Joe Rogan Reacts After Charles Barkley Weighs In on Trans-Athlete Debate
During his interview, Barkley urged the WNBA to take a firm position on transgender athletes.
“Cathy [Engelbert] and Adam [Silver] haven’t said, ‘There are no transgender people going to play in the WNBA. If you don’t like it, kick rocks. And we’re not going to discuss it anymore,’” Barkley said.
He also expressed his disappointment in the league’s leadership, saying:
“I’m disappointed in [NBA commissioner] Adam Silver and Cathy [Engelbert] the [WNBA] commissioner.”
Charles Barkley WENT OFF on the WNBA for not banning transgender women:
“Under NO circumstances do I think men should play against women. ZERO! I’m DISAPPOINTED!”
“Adam Silver should come out — and Cathy Engelbert… ‘There’s no transgender people going to play in the WNBA! If… pic.twitter.com/sGrnT559k6
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) August 25, 2026
A clip of Barkley’s comments was shared on X, prompting a reaction from Joe Rogan, who stated that the existence of the debate surprised him.
“Again, I am really surprised this is still up for debate,” Rogan said. “Historians are gonna look back to this time in history and laugh their [expletive] off.”
Again, I am really surprised this is still up for debate.
Historians are gonna look back to this time in history and laugh their asses off. https://t.co/gdvV0tMA6L
— Joe Rogan Podcast News (@joeroganhq) August 26, 2026
Barkley also addressed Enes Kanter’s recent actions, claiming that the former NBA center is trying to gain attention.
“Enes is trying to get attention,” Barkley said. “‘No, we’re not doing that either. The WNBA is for women. And listen, this is the last time we’re going to discuss it. We’re not going to turn it over to the fools on the internet. … The WNBA is for women only. Period.”
The league’s CBA states that only women are eligible to play. However, there is no specific language related to sex assigned at birth.
These rules are the same ones that Enes Kanter cited when he declared for the WNBA draft at the start of August.
See Also: ‘Don’t Believe Any of It’ – Enes Kanter Blasts WNBA Ineligibility Report As ‘Fake News’
Barkley’s frustrations with the WNBA are not limited to the trans-athlete debate; he also called out the league for its constant negative news cycle.
“When’s the last time you heard something positive about the WNBA? I can’t even remember. And I’m a WNBA fan,” he said.
He argued that the league’s positive developments have been overshadowed by the controversies.
Barkley and Rogan’s comments add two more high-profile voices to a debate that continues to extend beyond the WNBA itself.
