Enes Kanter Freedom Sues Chicago Sky Over Ejection, Points to WNBA Rulebook's Missing Definition of 'Woman'

Enes Kanter Freedom has filed a federal lawsuit against the Chicago Sky, the city of Chicago and the operators of Wintrust Arena, arguing his ejection from a WNBA game rested on a definition the league's own rulebook never actually provides.

The former NBA centre was removed from Wintrust Arena on 23 August after a verbal altercation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud, while sitting courtside wearing a shirt reading 'WOMAN noun, adult human female.' He was subsequently banned indefinitely from the arena. The 15-page complaint, filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, names Chicago Women's Basketball Operations LLC, which operates the Sky, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), which financed and built Wintrust Arena as a public project, and the city of Chicago as defendants.

What the Lawsuit Alleges

The complaint claims the three defendants 'combined and conspired, and acted jointly to execute their conspiracy, to discriminate against Plaintiff based on Plaintiff's verbal and demonstrable expression of viewpoint and gender identity when they wrongfully ejected Plaintiff.' It further argues that the indefinite ban 'compounded and exacerbated Plaintiff's injuries' beyond the initial ejection. Freedom's team is demanding a jury trial and seeking injunctive relief and damages.

Freedom's Public Statements and WNBA Rules

In his own statement announcing the case on social media, Freedom wrote: 'No threats. No violence. Just biology. And somehow, that required a security escort.' He added: 'My T-shirt did what the whole WNBA apparently couldn't: define a woman,' and said he would 'continue to stand for women and defend free speech.'

Central to Freedom's argument is that the WNBA's rules state only that 'women' are eligible to play in the league, without defining the term or setting out criteria based on biological sex or hormone levels. Freedom has separately declared himself eligible for next year's WNBA draft, arguing that self-identification is 'all that is required by WNBA's rules' under the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and the players' association.

The Altercation and Backlash

Cloud approached Freedom during a timeout in the third quarter of the Sky's game against the Indiana Fever, pointing and shouting in his direction before security intervened. Freedom stood and stepped toward the court before being escorted from his seat. Sky owner Michael Alter later described Freedom as 'a potential threat' in explaining the indefinite ban that followed the ejection.

The lawsuit states that Freedom 'has been the target of a torrent of hateful attacks and discriminatory actions based on Plaintiff's viewpoint and gender identity.' It also notes that Freedom 'believes deeply and advocates forcefully that the integrity of women-only sports must be protected,' pointing to numerous public appearances where he has made that case explicitly.

What Happens Next for the Case

The Sky and MPEA have not responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit. The city of Chicago has said it does not comment on pending litigation. The case, filed in the Eastern Division of the Northern District of Illinois, is ongoing, with no hearing date yet confirmed.