The Atlanta Dream and State Farm Arena pulled out all the stops for Enes Kanter Freedom, setting him up in a private luxury suite for Game 3 of the WNBA Finals. This move came after Freedom raised concerns about his personal safety, reaching out to federal, state, and local authorities, as well as the WNBA and arena officials. The arena emphasized that guest safety is their top priority, so they directed Freedom to the suite, which had extra security and even a state police officer assigned to him at his request.
Freedom posted on X that arena security was banning him from his purchased seats and that he needed to be escorted out. The Dream haven’t confirmed if he tried to sit in his original spots. This isn’t Freedom’s first WNBA drama—he was ejected from a Chicago Sky game in August after a clash with Natasha Cloud and got banned from the arena.
Freedom said he was motivated to attend this game after Gabby Williams of the Golden State Valkyries said she’d support trans athletes playing in the league. He took that as a sign to come out as a woman and declare for the WNBA draft. But along with Royce White, Freedom’s eligibility is disputed by the league. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert sent a letter saying only women can play, so they’re not eligible. Freedom called the league out for defining women but being sure about men, posting the letter online.
