Nancy Hogshead launches petition for WNBA gender eligibility rules

Three-time Olympic gold medalist and civil rights lawyer Nancy Hogshead has launched a Change.org petition calling on the WNBA to explicitly define eligibility rules to ensure only biological females can compete in the league.

Hogshead, who founded the advocacy group Champion Women, argues that the current lack of a specific definition for “woman” in the WNBA’s 2026 collective bargaining agreement fails to protect fair competition. She asserts that biological differences in strength, speed, and power necessitate separate categories for women’s sports.

The petition has garnered over 11,000 signatures since its launch in mid-August. Hogshead expressed hope that the movement will reach 100,000 signatures, noting significant public engagement with the campaign's materials. The initiative has also received public support from sports commentator Charles Barkley.