Martina Navratilova joins WNBA controversy after Olympic champion demands answers on the league’s definition of ‘woman’

Martina Navratilova has added her voice to a growing dispute over how the WNBA defines eligibility for its women’s league. The tennis legend publicly backed former Olympic swimmer Nancy Hogshead, who has launched a petition asking the WNBA to clearly define who qualifies as a woman. Hogshead’s campaign has drawn support from several former athletes and public figures and has collected more than 21,000 signatures, according to The Daily Signal. The issue has gained fresh attention as women’s sports continue to debate how leagues should handle transgender athlete participation and establish eligibility rules.Why is Martina Navratilova backing Nancy Hogshead’s WNBA petition?Navratilova’s support came after Hogshead, a three-time Olympic gold medalist from the 1984 Los Angeles Games, launched a Change.org petition calling on the WNBA to define “woman” as female. Hogshead has argued that the league needs a clearer standard for eligibility rather than relying on a broad statement that only women can play.Navratilova shared a Daily Signal report about the petition on X and wrote: “3-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Launches Petition Demanding the WNBA Define What a Woman Is – The Daily Signal- well done Nancy!!!”Hogshead’s argument is rooted in her own experience as an elite swimmer and her later work as a civil rights attorney. She said she underwent sex verification as an athlete and believes sports bodies should set clear eligibility standards.The petition also has backing from former professional basketball players Charles Barkley and Enes Kanter Freedom, while Lara Trump has publicly supported the effort. The campaign followed a letter from several Republican members of Congress, led by Rep. Marlin Stutzman, asking the WNBA to clarify its definition.What does the WNBA controversy mean for women’s sports?The central dispute is not simply about one player or one game. It is about how a professional women’s league defines its competitive category and what standards should determine eligibility.The WNBA says only women are eligible to play, but the current debate centers on the absence of a more specific public definition, according to the reports behind the petition. Hogshead wants the league to establish a rule that she says would protect the female category.The question has become more visible following comments from WNBA player Sophie Cunningham about transgender participation in women’s sports. Those remarks triggered criticism and support, adding another layer to an already heated discussion around fairness, inclusion and eligibility. Reuters reported in August that sports organizations have been revisiting policies for transgender participation, with different groups emphasizing competitive fairness or concerns about exclusion.For now, the WNBA eligibility debate remains unresolved. Hogshead is pushing for a formal definition, while Navratilova’s public endorsement has brought even more attention to the petition and the larger question surrounding women’s professional sports.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.