FIXING THE WNBA

         Almost all of the ranting and controversy in the WNBA at the moment concerns transgender issues:  NBA star Enes Kanter submitting himself for the  draft, Sophie Cunningham arguing boys should not be allowed in women’s sports, and the league holding meetings on what the “W” stands for.

         It’s a diverting topic for social media pontification, but it’s not a very serious issue.  However the rules get written or re-written, biological men, or trans women or men “identifying” as women, or whatever you want to call them. will not be allowed to play in the WNBA.  Nobody would watch.  The league would close up shop in a month.

         The real problem is the violence fueled by racism and other identitarian hatred.  The league stars have mostly been black women, many of whom are gay, and they hate Caitlin Clark because she is now not only the WNBA’s best player, but she is white and heterosexual as well.  This year, the hatred has also devolved onto Sophie Cunningham, Caitlin’s friend and teammate, who is also white and straight.

         There is no other reasonable explanation for the behavior of Alyssa Thomas, Jacy Sheldon, Brittney Griner and others in recent weeks, but Cathy Engelbert, the WNBA Commissioner, has been unable or unwilling to deal with the problem or even address it.   Racism, violence and hatred, however, do not go away until they are named, confronted, and punished.

         Since Engelbert has not dealt with it, the WNBA needs a new commissioner.  He or she must be black and must be a respected figure in the world of basketball.  He must make it clear to all that vicious play will be punished by fines and suspensions, and that any hint that the violence is motivated by hatred (e.g., tweeting “white privilege” after attacking a white player), will result in season-long or lifetime bans from the league.

Copyright2026MichaelKubacki