Are the floodgates opening? Will women’s sports survive?

Last week Enes Kantner Freedom declared himself for the WNBA draft. He is a recently retired National Basketball Association star, a human rights advocate, and looking to make a point I guess. Immediately afterward Royce Wight, another retired NBA star, followed suit.

The 6’10” Freedom would be the second tallest player in the league. At 6″8″, Wight would be the fourth tallest. Both weigh more than the heaviest WNBA player ever. On the basketball court they will have a considerable advantage against smaller players.

Freedom, by declaring himself a woman for basketball purposes, is sending a message about “trans” participation in women’s sports. Wight, a political candidate in 2026 possibly sees ways he can leverage the issue of men playing n women’s sports for political advantage.

Freedom is 33, Wight 35. There is no doubt they would be dominant in the WNBA. But isn’t that the point? Women’s leagues exist to allow women to compete against each other, since most women don’t have the physical attributes necessary to compete at the highest levels of men’s sports. There is a reason why no female hockey or soccer player has yet managed to make a career at the highest level of those sports.

There is no shame in different physiology. But there is also no glory in someone born male using that physical advantage to play women’s sports at a higher level than they would be able to achieve if they had remained male. (Using the same logic, why can’t I play in my grandson’s soccer league? Some days I feel five years old – and I’m sire I would have fun.)

If a man wants to say he is a woman (and vice versa) I think he has the right to delude himself. That actually is a bit harsh. I understand gender dysphoria is complicated and that feelings are important. But reality is important too.

It is no surprise that trans athletes competing in women’s sports do well. There are some natural advantages – which may explain why women who transition to male don’t try to compete in men’s sports. The operation doesn’t make them bigger and stronger.

I am kind of curious as to whether any WNBA team will take a chance and draft Freedom or Wight. Or any of the others who jump on the bandwagon. As league rules stand, these men are officially women if they say they are. Just large ones with beards and (I presume) penises. In our society you are what you say you are, and let no-one claim otherwise.

My guess is WNBA teams will collude and not draft either of these men, thus avoiding having to define what constitutes a woman. And then hope they don’t get sued for that collusion.

Or maybe the rules will be changed to more clearly define who is a woman as far as the WNBA is concerned.

Whichever it is, people will be laughing at the league and its attitude towards “trans” athletes. Which may be the point.