Enes Kanter Sues WNBA’s Chicago Sky Over Ejection From Game Amid Trans Athlete Controversy

Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom sued the Chicago Sky on Thursday, alleging First Amendment violations after he was ejected from one of the team's games following a confrontation with guard Natasha Cloud in which he wore a shirt that defined a woman as an "adult human female."

Kanter, who has mocked and protested the WNBA's gender and inclusion policies in recent weeks, said Thursday he was suing the Chicago Sky after "peacefully exercising my First Amendment rights," referencing the shirt he wore to the game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever on Aug. 23.

The lawsuit alleges free speech violations and says Kanter was banned indefinitely from Wintrust Arena, arguing Kanter's First Amendment rights are protected because the stadium was financed and built as a public project.

Cloud began shouting and pointing at Kanter after scoring in the third quarter, resulting in Kanter standing up with his arms spread and walking toward Cloud before the two were kept at distance by security.

Kanter was then escorted away from his courtside seat and out of the stadium, saying in a tweet later that night he was booted for "supporting WOMEN!"

Forbes has reached out to the Chicago Sky for comment.

Kanter formally declared himself a WNBA prospect last month in protest against the league's gender policies, arguing he qualified under its "self-identification and inclusion" rules. In doing so, he claimed he did not intend to "mock, make fun of, or disrespect any community or personal choices." Kanter's protest came after Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham said the WNBA should not allow "biological men," rejecting claims she hates transgender people in an interview with ESPN . There are no openly transgender players in the WNBA. The league's rules state, "Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA," and do not define "women" or provide criteria about hormone levels or biological sex. The league has not commented on its stance following Cunningham's comments and Kanter's actions, though commissioner Cathy Engelbert said last month the matter would be addressed by team executives.

Ex-NBA player Royce White also said last month he was declaring for the WNBA Draft, telling Fox News, "I identify as sometimes identifying as a woman for purposes of… professional basketball."