Sky Owner Refuses to Clarify Whether Banned Kanter Freedom Could Play at Chicago Arena

Chicago Sky principal owner Michael Alter sidestepped a question about whether a stadium ban imposed on Enes Kanter Freedom would remain in effect if the former NBA player were drafted by another WNBA franchise and returned to Wintrust Arena as an opponent. During an interview, Alter was asked directly if Freedom would be permitted to compete at the venue under those circumstances, given that Freedom has stated his intention to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft.

Rather than address the scenario, Alter dismissed the line of questioning as frivolous. He criticized the hypothetical as ridiculous and questioned whether the interviewer was genuinely interested in factual discussion. Alter’s refusal to clarify the distinction between spectator access and on-court participation left the matter unresolved.

The ban stemmed from Sunday’s game against the Indiana Fever, when security removed Freedom from the arena after he moved toward the court during an altercation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud. The organization determined Freedom posed a potential threat during the incident. Freedom, an 11-year NBA veteran, has maintained that the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement does not expressly define eligibility based on biological sex, a position he says permits his draft participation.

Multiple media outlets have reported Freedom is ineligible under current WNBA rules. Nevertheless, Freedom remains committed to pursuing a roster spot, saying “I’m doing it” when asked about his draft intentions. The WNBA has not officially confirmed Freedom’s ineligibility status, and Freedom says he has received no formal notice from the league regarding his eligibility.