Former basketball player and human rights activist Enes Kanter Freedom is taking legal action against the Chicago Sky after being ejected from Wintrust Arena. The incident occurred during a game against the Indiana Fever, where Freedom had an altercation with guard Natasha Cloud.
Freedom filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court, claiming that he was exercising his First Amendment rights when he was removed. He was sitting near the baseline, wearing a T-shirt that read: ‘WOMAN noun, adult human female.’ As a result, the Sky banned him indefinitely from the arena.
In his lawsuit, Freedom named Chicago Women’s Basketball Operations, LLC, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), and the City of Chicago as defendants. He accused them of conspiring to discriminate against him based on his viewpoints and gender identity. The lawsuit stated that Freedom’s expulsion was unjust and his ban compounded his grievances.
Freedom advocates for the protection of women-only sports and believes his stance should grant him eligibility to participate in the WNBA. This viewpoint has led to backlash, a point reiterated in the lawsuit, highlighting discriminatory actions against him.
The lawsuit detailed the events of August 23. Freedom’s manager informed Sky GM Jeff Pagliocca of Freedom’s attendance, but Sky owner Michael Alter alerted security. During the game, Freedom faced harassment from fans, who used racial slurs and profanity.
Despite this, the fans weren’t warned or removed, which contradicted the WNBA Fan Code of Conduct. During the third quarter, Freedom raised his arms in support of a player, which reportedly led to Cloud’s provocative actions towards him. Yet, she faced no disciplinary measures.
According to the lawsuit, Alter misrepresented the situation, comparing Freedom’s actions to shooting a gun during an interview. Freedom claims his damages persist due to the ongoing ban. He’s seeking a court declaration that his rights were violated, along with damages for his incurred losses.
Freedom stated in a post, ‘My T-shirt did what the whole [WNBA] apparently couldn’t: define a woman. No threats. No violence. Just biology.’ He expressed determination to continue advocating for free speech and women’s rights.
The Sky and MPEA have not commented on the lawsuit. The City of Chicago refrained from commenting on pending litigation.
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