Charles Barkley ‘Disappointed’ in WNBA and NBA Commissioners Over Handling of Transgender Athletes Debate

Natasha DyeWed, August 26, 2026 at 5:32 PM UTC

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Charles Barkley on April 6, 2026 in IndianaCredit: Mitchell Layton/Getty -

Charles Barkley said he’s “disappointed” in how commissioners Adam Silver and Cathy Engelbert have handled the discourse around transgender athletes in the WNBA

“I’ve got nothing but love and respect for gay people and transgender people, but, under no circumstances do I think men should play against women,” Barkley said

Barkley argued that the commissioners should have squashed the topic “before they turn it over to the internet for every fool, idiot and jackass to have an opinion on”

Charles Barkley said he’s “disappointed” by the way commissioners Adam Silver and Cathy Engelbert are handling the discourse around transgender athletes in the WNBA.

In a conversation about the WNBA’s recent headlines — including Enes Kanter’s antics at a Chicago Sky game — the 63-year-old NBA analyst told Michael Smerconish on his Sirius XM radio show on Monday, Aug. 24 that he believes “under no circumstances” transgender athletes should play in the WNBA.

“I always support the gay community. I always support the transgender community,” Barkley said. “I’ve got nothing but love and respect for gay people and transgender people, but, under no circumstances do I think men should play against women. Zero.”

Charles Barkley on June 11, 2025 in IndianaCredit: Jeff Dean/NBAE via Getty

Barkley said he’s “disappointed in” the NBA and WNBA commissioners for not squashing the topic sooner.

“First of all, you can’t let stupid stuff go out to the internet, which is the one of the worst things that ever happened to the world,” he said before suggesting that the commissioners “should’ve come out two weeks ago” with a statement.

When Barkley said people “are looking for attention now” to drive the conversation, Smerconish pointed to Kanter as one of those people looking to capitalize on the attention.

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“He has a point though,” Barkley argued back. “Because Cathy and Adam haven’t said, ‘Hey, its in the title, WNBA, we’re not gonna have transgender people in the WNBA and we’re not gonna discuss it again.’ ”

“Thats what Adam and Cathy should’ve done two or three weeks ago before they turn it over to the internet for every fool, idiot and jackass to have an opinion on,” he added.

Barkley also addressed Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham — who ignited the conversation around trans athletes in the WNBA with controversial comments in an ESPN profile — and said some of the players in the WNBA “do not like Caitlin Clark or Sophie Cunningham.”

When asked if racism plays a part in why, Barkley said, “I’m not gonna get on here and call somebody a racist because I don’t have any proof...Whether it’s race, sexuality, or whatever, there’s something going on there.”

“Jealousy, I think is a part of it. Race is a part of it, and sexuality is a part of it,” Barkley continued. “Now, I don’t know how much, but I feel comfortable saying they don’t like Caitlin. I don’t know why....Same thing with Sophie.”

Barkley added, “I think it has something to do with sexuality, race, and jealousy. I think it’s all three of them. I don’t know how you break up the percentages.”

There are currently no transgender athletes playing in the WNBA, nor have there been any in the league’s 30-year existence.

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Source: “AOL Sports”