WNBA condemns online ‘bad-faith efforts’ to toxify league amid divisive conversations

The WNBA denounced the “bad-faith efforts” to “demean or marginalize others” with respect to the ongoing discussions about transgender athlete participation in women’s sports after a task force meeting of team presidents and general managers Wednesday.

No imminent decision is expected regarding transgender athletes competing in the WNBA, per a source familiar with the discussions at Wednesday’s meeting who spoke anonymously because they are not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

The topic of transgender athletes has been at the center of WNBA discourse since Indiana Fever forward Sophie Cunningham weighed in on the conversation in an ESPN article last month, instigating a domino effect of reactions in and around the league.

In a statement from a league spokesperson, the WNBA said it will “approach these important conversations thoughtfully and in alignment with the values of our league.

“There are no immediate eligibility matters affecting the WNBA, and we strongly denounce the bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalize others.”

The league will take its time to connect with stakeholders, including players, team officials and Players Association leadership. The source said the WNBA isn’t speeding up its processes thanks to efforts to mock the league or manufacture controversy.

The meeting was already scheduled to discuss pertinent issues facing the league — among them, the online hate and vitriol directed toward players and other WNBA personnel. Fever coach Stephanie White spoke to some of the online “fear-mongering” in her fiery pregame address Tuesday.

Per a source familiar with Wednesday’s meeting, the WNBA remains invested in maintaining the safety and well-being of players and addressing online harassment whenever possible. The league has previously given players access to safety platforms for online protection.