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(The Hill) — WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced in a Friday message to teams that a league task force will discuss the topic of transgender athletes next week.
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In an internal memo obtained and reported by The Associated Press, Engelbert said the leagues’ team presidents and general managers will address this topic at a previously-scheduled meeting.
“I know many of you have received questions in recent weeks regarding transgender athlete participation in women’s basketball, and I expect this topic will continue to receive significant attention,” Engelbert wrote in the memo.
“I wanted to reach out to share how we are approaching these conversations at the league office and to thank those of you who have responded to questions from the media with thoughtfulness and professionalism.”
This news follows Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham’s public advocacy to ban trans athletes from competing in the league.
Cunningham defended her comments in an interview with ESPN last month, saying she “got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans.”
“And I’m like, ‘I never once said that.’ But I also think with that love is truth, being honest,” she continued. “And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
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The WNBA star, who has been praised by Trump administration officials for her advocacy on this issue, said she does not identify with a political party.
“I’m very much in the middle,” she told ESPN. “I agree with things on both sides, disagree with things on both sides. And that’s all I’ve ever said about my political beliefs. But people love to assume.”
The WNBA has not commented publicly on this issue. When reached for comment by The Hill’s broadcast partner, NewsNation, the league referred the outlet back to the Associated Press’ reporting.
The WNBA Player’s Association (WNBPA), a labor union representing the league’s professional athletes, issued a statement on social media in response to Engelbert’s message on Friday.
“Hate, abuse, and demonization of any person or group of people, including transgender people, only fuel fear, division, and harm,” the associate wrote. “We will continue to have hard conversations. But we will not be used as political pawns.”
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