ATLANTA – The Dream and State Farm Arena provided a private suite for former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom to protect her during Game 3 of the WNBA Finals against the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday night.
“Enes Kanter Freedom has contacted federal, state and local authorities, officials of the WNBA, the Atlanta Dream and State Farm Arena to express concerns about her personal safety during her planned appearance at Game 3 of the WNBA Finals tonight,” State Farm Arena said in a statement. “The safety of our guests and team members is our top priority.
“After consultation with the WNBA, Dream ownership, State Farm Arena leadership and security officials, we have instructed Mr. Freedom to watch tonight’s game from a private luxury suite. This arrangement is intended to address his safety concerns and help provide a safe and positive experience for him and other guests. The suite will have additional security and will be his designated location to watch the game. State Police have also assigned an officer to Mr. Freedom at his request.”
one in post on x With an accompanying video, Freedom indicated that arena security was “banning us from our purchased seats.” He added, “I think they’re going to have to kick me out of the building.”
Dream and State Farm Arena have not confirmed whether he attempted to enter the arena and sit in his original seats.
Freedom announced this on social media on Monday planned to attend sports. It’s her first WNBA game since she went to watch Chicago host Indiana in late August. He was ejected from that game and banned from the field due to a heated exchange with Sky guard Natasha Cloud.
Freedom said she was inspired to attend Wednesday’s Game 3 after learning that Golden State star Gabby Williams said she would support a trans athlete playing in the league.
“As you all know, it all started with an interview with Gabby Williams of the Golden State Valkyries, when she said, ‘I have no problem with trans athletes playing on my team or against my team,'” Freedom said in her post. “Her words gave me so much hope and inspiration to come out as a woman and officially declare for the WNBA Draft. I can’t wait to see my favorite player, the woman who inspired me to become who I am today!”
Freedom and Royce White, another former NBA player, have declared for the WNBA draft, saying they identify as women. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has said the league’s position is that they are not eligible.
on wednesday, freedom posted a photo own in Atlanta and also posted a copy of Engelbert’s letter In which he responded to a question from U.S. Representative Marlin A. Stutzman of Indiana about the eligibility of transgender athletes to play in the league.
“With respect to your questions regarding eligibility, only women are eligible to play in the WNBA and the individuals you mentioned in your letter are both men,” Engelbart said, referring to Freedom and White.
As Freedom replied, “Apparently the WNBA can still define what a woman is, but they’re pretty sure they know what a man is! How convenient!”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.