Former NBA player Royce White took aim at the WNBA on Fox News on Sunday, August 10, over the league’s handling of the transgender athlete debate. Speaking on the network, White said it was remarkable that the WNBA could not define what the W in its own name stands for. He then invoked LeBron James, suggesting that if James one day identified as a woman after retiring from the NBA, nobody could argue it would not improve women’s basketball. White also offered himself as a prospective WNBA player under the same logic.

The controversy stems from Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham. She publicly opposed transgender player inclusion and expressed concern about protecting young girls in locker rooms. Her comments triggered a wave of reactions across the league and beyond.

White and Kanter Both Pitch Themselves for WNBA Spots

White was not alone in using the debate to float a personal bid. Former NBA center Enes Kanter previously assembled a similar pitch, asking the WNBA to consider signing him amid the same controversy. Neither player received a formal response. The league stayed quiet.

Engelbert Sends Memo to Teams

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed the issue internally by circulating a memo to all franchises, according to ESPN. In it, she acknowledged that teams had been fielding media questions about transgender participation in women’s basketball and thanked those who had responded with professionalism. She also indicated she would meet with teams to continue those conversations at the league level.

Engelbert has faced persistent criticism for sidestepping direct questions about the league’s specific eligibility policies. That pressure has fueled speculation about her future in the role.

Policy Ambiguity Drives Ongoing Criticism

No clear policy exists. The WNBA has not issued a public framework defining transgender athlete eligibility. That absence is central to the criticism from figures like White, and the debate shows no sign of settling while Engelbert’s meetings with teams remain pending.

This report is based on a single source, yahoo.com, and has not been independently verified.