Enes Kanter Freedom claims he was ejected from WNBA finals game in Atlanta

Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom said he was ejected from Game 3 of the WNBA finals between the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream on Wednesday after a disagreement over seating arrangements at State Farm Arena.

Freedom posted a video at halftime claiming he had been removed from the arena. The reason for his alleged ejection was not immediately clear, though the footage appeared to show him telling security personnel that he wanted to sit in the seats he had bought rather than a private suite arranged for him.

The video posted by Freedom showed him being informed at the entry gate: “If you come in you have to agree to go to the suite.”

Freedom responded: “I purchased tickets, right? Just because I purchased tickets, I would like to sit in my seat. That’s all I want.”

An Atlanta police officer was also heard telling Freedom: “You’re free to go to the city of Atlanta streets. That’s another private establishment over there. He’s free to go there. He just can’t be here.”

A State Farm Arena public relations official said Freedom “was offered the suite for his safety and he rejected it”.

Before the game, State Farm Arena said in a statement that “Enes Kanter Freedom has contacted federal, state and local authorities, the WNBA, the Atlanta Dream and State Farm Arena officials to express concerns about his personal safety during his planned attendance at Game 3 of the WNBA finals tonight … Following consultations with the WNBA, Dream ownership, State Farm Arena leadership and security officials, we have directed Mr Freedom to watch tonight’s game from a private luxury suite. This arrangement is intended to address his security 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 viewing location for the game. State police have also assigned an officer to Mr Freedom at his request.”

Freedom, who last played in the NBA in 2022, has made opposition to transgender participation in women’s sports a focus of his public commentary. This has led to his recent interest in the WNBA, which became a center of that discussion following Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham’s comments on the topic over the summer that drew a rebuke from many WNBA players and fans. His appearance in Atlanta followed an August confrontation with Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud that resulted in his ejection and a ban from the Sky’s home arena.

At that game, against the Indiana Fever, Freedom wore a shirt bearing the words “WOMAN noun adult human female”.

Ahead of Wednesday’s game, Freedom criticized comments by Golden State’s Gabby Williams supporting transgender athletes. In a social media post, he sarcastically claimed that Williams had inspired him to identify as a woman and enter the WNBA draft.

Freedom and fellow former NBA player Royce White have both publicly claimed to identify as women and announced plans to enter the draft. The league has said neither is eligible.

On Wednesday, Freedom also shared a letter from WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert responding to questions from Republican congressman Marlin Stutzman about the league’s eligibility rules.

“Only women are eligible to play in the WNBA and the individuals you cite in your letter are both men,” Engelbert wrote, referring to Freedom and White.

Asked about Freedom’s planned attendance before the game, Williams questioned the attention being devoted to him.

“Obviously the media has a responsibility in what they choose to cover,” she said.

Atlanta went on to beat Golden State 97-71 behind 21 points and 12 rebounds from Angel Reese, taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven WNBA finals.