Enes Kanter Freedom’s battle with the WNBA rolls on after the former NBA center was ejected from Sunday night’s Indiana Fever–Chicago Sky matchup following a confrontation with Chicago guard Natasha Cloud.
Kanter Freedom was sitting courtside wearing a shirt reading “WOMAN noun. adult human female.” Late in the third quarter, Cloud could be seen shouting at the self-proclaimed “human rights activist,” while Kanter responded by stretching out his arms and taking a step toward the court before being removed by security.
On Wednesday, Fox News reported that Kanter Freedom, who has since been banned from attending Sky home games, has sent a letter to the WNBA, requesting, among other things, “an explanation for the basis of my ejection” and a full refund for the cost of his tickets.
Kanter Freedom claims Cloud was the instigator for the incident, saying the WNBA veteran “turned from the court, approached my seat, and began yelling, cursing, and pointing in my direction.”
“According to the WNBA, any physical or verbal altercation with a fan is treated as conduct detrimental to the game,” Kanter Freedom wrote. “The WNBA Office holds the authority to issue heavy fines or multi-game suspensions for players who cross the line into berating or cursing at spectators. Yet Ms. Cloud’s conduct of yelling, swearing, and pointing at a spectator (me) appears to have escaped any accountability and was, in fact, defended by her coach.”
In addition to claiming the league did not appropriately discipline Cloud, Kanter says he followed fan regulations, and that any violation he may have committed should have been met with a warning instead of an immediate ejection.
“According to the WNBA Fan Code of Conduct, a spectator should be issued a warning for any alleged violation before being forced to leave the game,” Kanter Freedom said. “I received no such warning prior to my ejection.”
The overriding point of Kanter’s letter is that his ejection indicates “a pattern and practice of the League applying its rules unfairly.” He also believes he was discriminated against because of his “for defending the integrity of women’s sports” and recent decision to “declare” for the 2027 WNBA Draft, which was denied.
“I should not be treated differently because the League, its players, or personnel disagree with my viewpoint,” Freedom wrote. “The timing and circumstances of my removal beg a variety of questions: Did my WNBA Draft announcement, prior communications with the League, public advocacy for women’s sports, or the message displayed on my shirt play a role in the decision to eject me?”
The former No. 3 overall NBA Draft pick also referenced recent incidents at WNBA games involving protesters against transgender women in women’s sports, arguing that they too were treated unfairly.
The letter concluded with several formal requests, which are as follows:
- “Identify the policy, rule, directive, or instruction relied upon in treating certain spectators, including me, differently when we express a viewpoint that appears unpopular with the WNBA.”
- “Identify whether the decision to eject me was made or requested by WNBA personnel, Chicago Sky personnel, Wintrust Arena personnel, security personnel, or another individual or entity.”Enjoying this article? Support our work with a small crypto donation.
“Confirm whether Ms. Cloud’s conduct has been or will be reviewed under any League policy governing player interactions with fans, including rules governing altercations that require player suspension, and state what accountability, if any, she, her team, and management will face.”
“Provide a full refund of the cost of my courtside tickets; and
“Preserve all materials relating to this incident, including relevant video footage, incident or security reports, communications concerning my attendance or removal, communications referring to my WNBA Draft announcement or public advocacy for women’s sports, and any applicable policies or event-day directives.”
“Identify the policy, rule, directive, or instruction relied upon in treating certain spectators, including me, differently when we express a viewpoint that appears unpopular with the WNBA.”
“Identify whether the decision to eject me was made or requested by WNBA personnel, Chicago Sky personnel, Wintrust Arena personnel, security personnel, or another individual or entity.”
“Confirm whether Ms. Cloud’s conduct has been or will be reviewed under any League policy governing player interactions with fans, including rules governing altercations that require player suspension, and state what accountability, if any, she, her team, and management will face.”
“Provide a full refund of the cost of my courtside tickets; and
“Preserve all materials relating to this incident, including relevant video footage, incident or security reports, communications concerning my attendance or removal, communications referring to my WNBA Draft announcement or public advocacy for women’s sports, and any applicable policies or event-day directives.”
Kanter Freedom asked for a response from the league in five business days.
Discover more from NAIRAVOICE.COM.NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
