Caitlyn Jenner Proposes Chromosome-Based Rule for WNBA Transgender Athlete Eligibility

Caitlyn Jenner offered a direct approach to resolving the WNBA’s contentious debate regarding transgender athlete eligibility during an appearance on Fox News @ Night with Trace Gallagher. Jenner characterized the league’s lack of clear policy as hypocritical, pointing to former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White as examples of the inconsistency in current rules.

The Olympic gold medalist suggested WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert adopt a straightforward biological standard to settle the matter. “XX, you’re in. XY you’re out. It’s that simple,” Jenner stated, referencing chromosomal differences as the determinant for league eligibility and framing the approach as necessary to protect women’s sports.

Jenner referenced Title IX as landmark legislation for women’s equality in athletics and expressed support for Kanter and White’s bids to join the WNBA, characterizing their actions as exposing organizational inconsistency. The league’s collective bargaining agreement stipulates that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA,” yet the 409-page document fails to define the terms “woman,” “women,” “transgender,” or “gender identity.”

A WNBA spokesperson stated the league held meetings on transgender athlete eligibility alongside discussions about combating online harassment directed at players. The organization said it firmly rejects “bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalize others,” without announcing a definitive policy resolution.