Chicago Sky Bans Enes Kanter Freedom From Wintrust Arena After Courtside Confrontation

Chicago Sky owner Michael Alter indefinitely banned Enes Kanter Freedom from Wintrust Arena after the 34-year-old former NBA player was ejected during Sunday's game against the Indiana Fever, according to Yahoo WNBA and Front Office Sports. The ejection followed a third-quarter verbal exchange with Sky guard Natasha Cloud, an 11-year WNBA veteran. Kanter Freedom attended the game wearing a shirt that read, "WOMAN noun. adult human female," per Yahoo WNBA. In the third quarter, Cloud appeared to shout toward the baseline where Freedom was seated, according to Front Office Sports. Freedom stood up and raised his arms before security immediately restrained and removed him from the arena, per Front Office Sports. As he was escorted out, Freedom told security, "I'm supporting women, and that is the reason they are kicking me out. That's unacceptable," according to Front Office Sports. Alter stated that Kanter Freedom is not allowed back at Wintrust Arena until "he's able to prove to us that he's able to abide by our rules without being a potential threat," per Yahoo WNBA. Cloud did not speak to media after the game, but a Sky spokesperson told Front Office Sports that the veteran spoke to league and team security. The incident coincides with broader league action regarding Kanter Freedom and former NBA player Royce White. Both declared their intention to enter the 2027 WNBA draft in recent weeks, claiming they identify as women. The WNBA's collective bargaining agreement includes language stating, "Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA," according to Front Office Sports. The CBA does not include language around gender identity or gender assigned at birth, per Front Office Sports. It is not immediately clear whether Kanter Freedom is allowed to return to WNBA arenas more broadly, per Front Office Sports.