Nancy Hogshead, a three-time Olympic swimming gold medalist, is urging the WNBA to specify that player eligibility should be limited to biological females. She initiated a Change.org petition to prompt the league to define “woman” in its eligibility rules. The petition has amassed over 11,000 signatures since its launch on August 14.
“We’re asking the WNBA to specify that its rules are exclusively for women,” Hogshead stated in an interview with Fox News Digital. “Participants must meet the criteria of age and gender.”
The debate surrounding eligibility intensified after former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White expressed their intent to join the 2027 WNBA Draft, claiming to identify as women. League sources dismissed their actions as “publicity stunts,” stating they were not eligible.
Hogshead views these declarations as highlighting inconsistencies in gender self-identification policies. “Their actions exposed the contradictions in WNBA’s gender policies,” she commented. “It showed the issues inherent in gender ideology.”
The WNBA’s 2026 collective bargaining agreement stipulates that only those identified as women can play, but it lacks a clear definition of “woman” concerning gender identity and sex assigned at birth.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham also entered the discussion, openly criticizing transgender participation in female sports. “I admire her stance,” Hogshead said about Cunningham. “Her position is gaining support.”
Protests have occurred outside WNBA games, advocating for the eligibility of biological females only. Hogshead hopes her petition will reach 100,000 signatures, emphasizing it as a significant nationwide issue with potential for widespread support.
Hogshead is notable not only for her Olympic achievements but also for her role as a civil rights attorney and founder of Champion Women, which advocates for women and girls in sports.
The WNBA responded to the ongoing debate, emphasizing no current eligibility issues and rejecting efforts to marginalize individuals. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert confirmed continued discussions with the players’ union and stakeholders to address these concerns.