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Charles Barkley is criticizing the NBA and WNBA leadership over the ongoing debate surrounding transgender athletes in women's basketball.
The 63-year-old NBA analyst said he is "disappointed" with NBA commissioner Adam Silver and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert for allowing the discussion to continue without addressing it more directly.
Speaking with Michael Smerconish on his SiriusXM radio show on Monday, Aug. 24, Barkley discussed several recent WNBA controversies, including the confrontation involving former NBA player Enes Kanter at a Chicago Sky game. He also shared his views on transgender athletes competing in the league.
Barkley said he supports both the gay and transgender communities but believes transgender athletes should not compete against women 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."
Barkley then turned his criticism toward the league's leadership, arguing that Silver and Engelbert should have addressed the issue sooner instead of allowing it to become a major topic of discussion online.
He said the commissioners should have issued a clear statement several weeks earlier and brought the debate to an end.
Barkley also suggested that people involved in the conversation may be seeking attention, while Smerconish mentioned Kanter as an example. Barkley agreed that Kanter had a point, saying the commissioners could have made the league's position clear rather than leaving the issue open to continued public debate.
The former NBA star also discussed Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham, who has been at the center of controversy surrounding transgender athletes in the WNBA following comments she made in an ESPN profile.
Barkley claimed that some WNBA players do not like Cunningham or her Fever teammate Caitlin Clark. When asked whether racism could be contributing to the situation, Barkley said he did not have enough evidence to label anyone racist.
However, he suggested that race, sexuality and jealousy could all play a role in the tensions surrounding the players.
"I think it has something to do with sexuality, race, and jealousy," Barkley said, while acknowledging that he could not determine how much each factor contributed.
Despite the ongoing debate, there are currently no transgender athletes playing in the WNBA. There have also been no transgender players in the league during its 30-year history.
