Enes Kanter Freedom is pursuing legal action against the Chicago Sky after being ejected from Wintrust Arena. This incident followed a clash with guard Natasha Cloud during a game against the Indiana Fever. Freedom’s federal complaint was filed in U.S. District Court. He claims he was “peacefully exercising my First Amendment rights” while seated near the baseline wearing a T-shirt that read, “WOMAN noun, adult human female.” Freedom faced an indefinite ban from Wintrust Arena. He stated the ban could prompt further legal action.
The lawsuit targets Chicago Women’s Basketball Operations, LLC, responsible for operating the Sky, alongside the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), which financed and built Wintrust Arena, and the City of Chicago. It alleges these entities “combined and conspired” to discriminate against Freedom based on his viewpoint and gender identity, leading to his wrongful ejection from a WNBA game. The legal document indicates Freedom was further harmed when banned indefinitely.
The lawsuit mentions Freedom’s commitment to protecting women-only sports’ integrity, a point emphasized in his public appearances. He identifies as a player eligible for WNBA participation “because such declaration is all that is required by WNBA’s rules.” His perspective has sparked backlash, which the lawsuit notes.
The lawsuit states Freedom has been subjected to “hateful attacks and discriminatory actions.”
The legal account of August 23 begins with Freedom’s manager sending a “courteous text message” to Sky GM Jeff Pagliocca, Freedom’s former trainer, about his game attendance. Pagliocca reportedly responded positively, yet Sky owner Michael Alter allegedly informed Wintrust Arena Security of Freedom’s forthcoming presence. The suit claims that Freedom faced harassment from some Sky fans, who reportedly used vulgar and racial slurs, breaching the WNBA Fan Code of Conduct.
During the game, Freedom raised his arms to celebrate a three-pointer by Sophie Cunningham, a Fever player known for her stance on biological men in women’s sports. Subsequently, Cloud made a shot and charged toward Freedom, shouting profanities. The lawsuit suggests Cloud’s actions were triggered by Freedom’s shirt and his standpoint on women’s sports integrity.
Though Freedom raised his arms “in confusion and disbelief,” Cloud continued to shout profanities, breaching WNBA rules. She received no ejection or disciplinary action from the WNBA, and Alter confirmed no action would ensue against Cloud. The lawsuit mentions Alter’s alleged mischaracterization of the altercation, asserting that Freedom was “chirping” before the incident. Alter’s analogy with gun violence in an interview with OutKick added to this narrative.
Freedom claims ongoing damages “as long as the unconstitutional ban” from the arena persists. He seeks a court declaration that the ejection violated his First Amendment rights, along with nominal and compensatory damages.
Freedom expressed his stance publicly, emphasizing he will not be silenced. “My T-shirt did what the whole [WNBA] apparently couldn’t: define a woman,” Freedom stated, reinforcing his commitment to free speech and defending women.
The Sky and MPEA haven’t responded to OutKick’s request for comments. The City of Chicago, citing pending litigation, also withheld comment.