Former NBA player Enes Kanter FREEDOM has been banned from attending Chicago Sky games at Wintrust Arena following his confrontation with WNBA player Natasha Cloud amid his campaign against biological men competing in women’s sports.
Chicago Sky owner Michael Alter announced the ban after Freedom was escorted out of Sunday’s game against the Indiana Fever, citing security concerns over his behavior.
“He has demonstrated to us, unequivocally, that he has the potential to be a threat,” Alter said.
The incident occurred during the Sky’s game against the Fever after Cloud scored a basket that prompted a timeout. Freedom, seated near the basket, exchanged words with Cloud before standing and approaching her, prompting Sky players and security personnel to intervene and separate them before he was escorted out.
Officials said security personnel, NBA security, and Chicago police later deemed Freedom a threat after he opened his arms, pointed at Cloud, and stepped onto the court.
Freedom said the confrontation began when Cloud reacted to his courtside presence and the message on his shirt expressing his views on the definition of a woman. He has remained outspoken against transgender women competing in women’s sports and declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft as a protest.
The WNBA reportedly rejected the draft declarations of Freedom and Royce White, with Front Office Sports sources calling them “publicity stunts” and saying the league would not provide a platform for efforts it viewed as mocking or demeaning others. However, the league has yet to publicly explain the specific eligibility criteria behind the decision, keeping its rules at the center of the controversy.
The issue gained wider attention after WNBA star Sophie Cunningham spoke about protecting women’s sports and questioned the fairness of competition if biological men were allowed to compete. Cunningham said she faced criticism for her views but maintained that her position was aimed at protecting female athletes.
