Ron Harper voices strong opposition to WNBA transgender athlete inclusion
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 7, 2026, 8:00 AM
Last updated Aug 7, 2026
Ron Harper, a five-time NBA champion, expressed his firm stance against allowing transgender athletes in the WNBA, stating, "HELL NO!!!!" His remarks come amid ongoing discussions within the league sparked by Sophie Cunningham’s recent comments about biological males in women's sports. The debate has drawn various opinions from notable figures, including tennis player Aryna Sabalenka, who advocated for a one-time gender test for competitive fairness, and WNBA player Gabby Williams, who supports the inclusion of trans athletes. Outside of player sentiments, incidents such as the Minnesota Lynx coach wearing a 'Trans kids belong' shirt during a game indicate the depth of the conversation. Clay Travis criticized WNBA coaches supporting inclusivity, claiming their views represent “toxic empathy.”
- •Harper's comments highlight a division in opinions on inclusion.
- •Cunningham's comments initiated a broader discussion on trans policies.
- •Sabalenka called for a gender test to maintain competition fairness.
- •Williams expressed support for trans athletes in the WNBA.
- •Clay Travis criticized WNBA coaches advocating for inclusivity.
- 8:00 AMYahoo Sports — 5x NBA Champ Drops Blunt 2-Word Verdict On WNBA Trans Athletes Debate
"As the WNBA community continues to debate the participation of transgender athletes in the league, a five-time NBA champion has joined the conversation. Reacting to a question posted on X (“Should the WNBA allow transgender athletes to compete?”), Ron Harper offered a blunt response.
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