The Chicago Sky have indefinitely banned Enes Kanter Freedom from attending their games at the Wintrust Arena, following an incident during their August 23, 2026 matchup against the Indiana Fever. Chicago Sky owner Michael Alter explained that Kanter Freedom, a former NBA player who publicly declared for the 2027 WNBA draft citing his gender identity as a woman, was removed from the arena mid-game after he began trash-talking and then physically advancing toward Sky guard Natasha Cloud. Security personnel from multiple agencies determined that Kanter Freedom's behavior constituted a credible threat warranting his immediate ejection.

Alter clarified that the incident began when Kanter Freedom engaged Cloud in provocative, basketball-related dialogue, aiming to draw attention. After Cloud responded verbally following a layup, Kanter Freedom stood, raised his arms, and stepped forward, prompting security to restrain and escort him out. Although he did not cross the baseline, Alter said Kanter Freedom “turned himself into a threat,” and five different security authorities, including local police, agreed that removal was necessary. The Sky have stipulated that Kanter Freedom may only return if he can demonstrate compliance with team rules ensuring safety.

The Chicago Sky also refuted Kanter Freedom’s claim that he had received permission to attend the game from Sky General Manager Jeff Pagliocca, a former basketball trainer who ended his professional association with Kanter Freedom years earlier. A review of text exchanges showed Pagliocca was simply informed of Kanter Freedom’s attendance but did not invite or endorse him. The team was initially unaware of Kanter Freedom’s exact seating and did not anticipate problems, allowing attendance as long as proper conduct was maintained.

The WNBA league does not plan to enact a broader ban on Kanter Freedom across other teams or arenas, indicating that the ban is specific to the Chicago Sky's home facility. Meanwhile, Natasha Cloud has not publicly commented on the episode, though she engaged with security after the game. The Sky owner expressed regret for not warning players about Kanter Freedom’s presence beforehand to avoid distraction but emphasized the team’s commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful environment during games.