Enes Kanter Freedom Exchanged Texts With Sophie Cunningham After His Ejection From WNBA About Shared Views On Trans Athletes

Enes Kanter Freedom revealed on  Fox News’ The Big Weekend Show that Sophie Cunningham reached out after his ejection from the Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky game on August 23.

Kanter Freedom appeared on the show and said the two exchanged text messages after his ejection from Wintrust Arena in Chicago. According to Kanter Freedom, Cunningham asked him, “What happened?”

Kanter Freedom said he answered, “I just got up and opened my arms in the air and said, ‘I’m here to protect my friends.’” 

He has not revealed screenshots of their conversation, the rest of the conversation, or who texted first. He stated that their relationship is a friendship grounded in shared views on women’s sports. 

“She’s standing for the truth… I think she’s an idol now and an American hero,” Kanter said. “I’m just really happy that finally someone from the WNBA got up and said, ‘Enough is enough. We have to stand for American values.’” 

Cunningham previously said she wanted to “protect young girls” from competing against “biological men,” while rejecting claims that she hates transgender people. She has not publicly joined a broader campaign against the WNBA’s eligibility policies, unlike Kanter Freedom, who has.

Kanter Freedom has declared for the 2027 WNBA draft, demanded that the league revise its eligibility language, and challenged Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to a public summit.

Kanter Freedom said his support for Cunningham brought him courtside for the Fever-Sky matchup. After Chicago guard Natasha Cloud directed comments toward him, Kanter Freedom stood up and extended his arms before he began to move toward the court, before security escorted him from the arena. 

Kanter Freedom sued the Sky and other defendants over his ban and ejection. He stated that his speech was unlawfully punished.  Sky owner Michael Alter called the complaint “meritless and frivolous, stating that the ban was due to his actions, not his shirt.

As of now, Cunningham has not publicly acknowledged her friendship with Kanter Freedom.