Chicago Sky bar former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom from home games

The Chicago Sky said former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom will no longer be allowed inside Wintrust Arena for the team’s home games. Owner Michael Alter announced the decision at a news conference, stating Freedom must demonstrate he can follow the arena’s rules before being permitted entry again.

Freedom was removed from the Sunday game after a confrontation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud late in the third quarter. Cloud, who had just scored, approached Freedom, who was seated along the baseline wearing a shirt that read “WOMAN noun. adult human female.” Security and several Sky players intervened as the two exchanged words.

"It was pretty clear to us that his purpose of coming here was trying to be provocative and just see how much attention he could get and stir up and create," Alter told reporters.

After being escorted from the court, Freedom spoke with police officers before leaving the arena. He later posted on social media that he was removed from a WNBA game for “supporting women.”

The incident occurs amid ongoing discussions about the eligibility of transgender women in the WNBA, a league whose collective bargaining agreement limits participation to women but does not specify gender identity criteria.

Separately, Alter said the team is investigating a separate incident in which multiple sex toys were thrown onto the court during a recent victory over Golden State, and that authorities are working to identify those responsible.