Chicago Sky owner defends ejection of Enes Kanter Freedom at Wintrust Arena

Chicago Sky principal owner Michael Alter explained the team's decision to eject and ban former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom from Wintrust Arena during a Sunday game against the Indiana Fever. Alter said security personnel acted immediately when Freedom took a step toward the court, describing him as a "potential threat" and noting that league, arena and police security were present.

"He wasn’t given a warning because certain threats don’t get warnings. To use an extreme example, when you shoot a gun at someone, you don’t get a warning," Alter said.

Alter acknowledged he could not confirm whether Freedom actually stepped onto the court and said he had no audio evidence of the verbal exchange that preceded the incident. He cited eyewitness accounts that Freedom initiated basketball-related trash talk with Fever guard Natasha Cloud, which escalated into a back-and-forth confrontation before security intervened.

Freedom has written to the WNBA arguing that a warning should have been given, but the league’s fan code states that fans who attempt to enter the court are to be ejected immediately. Footage from the game shows Freedom moving toward the court before a security guard stopped him.

The Sky also noted that Freedom’s manager had notified the team of his attendance several hours before the game, a message the owner interpreted as an indication that trouble was expected. Alter said the team did not prevent Freedom from entering the arena but instructed staff to ignore him and not engage.

Sky coach Tyler Marsh defended Cloud, describing her as protective of teammates. No disciplinary action has been announced for either party, and the WNBA has not commented on the incident.