Stephen A. Smith says WNBA's lack of gender eligibility rules invites political controversy
ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith argued that the WNBA's failure to set clear transgender athlete policies has allowed conservatives to politicize the issue, while also criticizing the league's leadership.
ESPN host Stephen A. Smith said the Women's National Basketball Association has created an opening for political debate by not establishing clear gender-eligibility rules, particularly regarding transgender athletes. On his YouTube show, Smith argued that the league’s absence of definitive guidelines has let disputes over biological males competing in women’s sports dominate the conversation.
"You’ve got to have rules and regulations. You’ve got to have law. You’ve got to have order. You can’t have this," Smith said.
He added that conservative figures have seized on the controversy, citing former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, who announced intentions to enter the 2027 WNBA draft to challenge the league’s policies. Smith suggested the league’s leadership, not the players, bears responsibility for the situation.
"Sure, the right is maneuvering its way through the terrain and politicizing this issue. It doesn’t negate the fact that the WNBA left the door open for it to happen," he said.
Smith referenced Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who has spoken publicly about protecting women’s sports, and questioned whether Republican officials would respond similarly if a liberal athlete voiced opposite views. He expressed support for Cunningham’s stance on safeguarding female athletics.
"I support her position on protecting girls in competitive sports," Smith said.
Concluding, Smith urged the WNBA to address the policy gap, warning that without action critics will continue to highlight perceived inconsistencies.
"The time has come for folks to stop whining about how stuff is being politicized and do something about it so it can’t be politicized. Do something or suck it up," he said.