Cloud Dismisses Kanter Freedom as ‘Irrelevant’ Following Courtside Ejection

Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud declined to address Enes Kanter Freedom by name Saturday while discussing the courtside incident that resulted in his ejection and subsequent ban from the team’s home games. Cloud characterized Freedom as an “irrelevant person” during her first public remarks on the confrontation and emphasized her focus on substantive women’s issues rather than the dispute.

The altercation occurred Aug. 23 during the third quarter of Chicago’s loss to the Indiana Fever. Freedom, seated courtside in a shirt defining woman as “adult human female,” stood and extended his arms toward the court after a shot by Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, prompting security intervention. Freedom maintained he never intended to enter the playing surface, while arena officials deemed him a potential threat.

Two days after the incident, Sky principal owner Michael Alter announced Freedom’s ban from Wintrust Arena games pending demonstration that he would comply with organizational rules. Alter stated no formal reinstatement process existed but required Freedom to acknowledge his conduct was unacceptable. Cloud praised Alter, general manager Jeff Pagliocca and coach Tyler Marsh for prioritizing player protection and safety.

Cloud emphasized that genuine protection encompasses all women, including Black women and transgender women, and criticized men who claim to defend the WNBA while historically opposing equal pay and investment in women’s sports. The Sky lost to the Liberty 85-66, with Cloud contributing 14 points in the Saturday matchup.