Enes Kanter Freedom sues Chicago Sky over WNBA ejection

Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom has filed a federal lawsuit against the Chicago Sky, the City of Chicago, and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority. The legal action follows his ejection and subsequent indefinite ban from Wintrust Arena during an August 23 WNBA game between the Sky and the Indiana Fever.

Kanter Freedom alleges that his First Amendment rights were violated and that he was discriminated against based on his viewpoint. The dispute stems from a verbal altercation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud. Kanter Freedom claims he was wearing a T-shirt that defined a woman as an “adult human female” and that the ejection was a response to his speech. He is seeking injunctive relief to lift the arena ban, as well as damages and legal fees.

The Chicago Sky and its owner, Michael Alter, have dismissed the lawsuit as “meritless” and “frivolous.” They maintain that the removal was due to a violation of the Fan Code of Conduct after Kanter Freedom stood up and moved toward the court during a heated exchange, which security deemed a potential threat.

In a separate development, Kanter Freedom has used the news of WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s planned retirement to pitch himself as a candidate for the position. He campaigned under the slogan “Make @WNBA Female Again,” arguing that the league needs new leadership to address systemic issues regarding transgender athlete policies.