Cathy Engelbert criticizes political use of WNBA amid ongoing debates

The WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement states that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA. ” However, it does not go into more detail about gender identity or sex assigned at birth.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has sharply criticized efforts to "sow divisiveness" as the WNBA deals with escalating controversy over transgender athlete inclusion.

With recent debate over transgender athletes in the WNBA, Engelbert said people are using the league to "sow divisiveness."

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert denounced people she said are trying to “sow divisiveness”

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed the transgender athlete debate, saying people are trying to use the league to "sow divisiveness."

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert denounced people she said are trying to “sow divisiveness” as the league grapples with a debate over transgender athletes. Engelbert made the comments Thursday before the Indiana Fever's 91-85 loss to the Dallas Wings at the home of the Dallas Mavericks. Demonstrators showed up outside American Airlines Center, as they have at other venues since the Fever's Sophie Cunningham voiced support for barring transgender girls and women from girls' and women's sports in an extensive ESPN profile.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is taking a firm stand against outside actors using women’s basketball as a culture battleground. Pressure is mounting on Cathy Engelbert as the league’s new executive task force convenes to address gender eligibility policies, leaving her under pressure to deliver a clear, forward-looking explanation.