ESPN host Stephen A. Smith addressed the political issues surrounding the WNBA, attributing some of the turmoil to the league's own shortcomings. He stated that the WNBA has not established clear rules and leadership, particularly regarding the participation of transgender athletes, which has led to ongoing disputes. On his YouTube show, Smith emphasized the need for the league to implement regulations to avoid politicization of the issue.
Smith criticized conservatives for exploiting the situation for political gain, while also asserting that the WNBA's lack of guidelines has made it vulnerable to such exploitation. He mentioned former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, who have declared their eligibility for the 2027 WNBA Draft to challenge the league's gender-eligibility rules.
Smith highlighted the case of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who has faced backlash for her views on women's sports. He questioned whether political figures would respond similarly if a liberal athlete expressed opposing views. Smith concluded by urging the WNBA to take a definitive stance on these issues to prevent further politicization.