Chicago Sky‘s game on Sunday was eclipsed by a courtside altercation between Natasha Cloud and former player Enes Freedom. It didn’t take all that long for the controversy to gain traction, prompting a former NFLer to vent his frustrations.
Ex-NFL DT Shares His Reaction to the Natasha Cloud-Enes Kanter Freedom Exchange
Chicago was eliminated from playoff contention after a 113-90 loss to the Indiana Fever at Wintrust Arena. Late in the third quarter, Cloud and Freedom had a verbal altercation before security intervened.
Advertisement
Video showed Cloud walking toward Freedom near the baseline, pointing and yelling. Freedom stood and extended his arms as security and Sky players moved between them. He was escorted from the arena thereafter.
Former NFL defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko later criticized Cloud and the WNBA over the incident.
He tweeted, “Natasha Cloud did all that performative [expletive] while her team was only down 6 lost the momentum and then they proceeded to get waxed by 23. Unreal league. Unreal.”
In another tweet, he wrote, “Got triggered by a Pro-Women shirt. I promise the WNBA doesn’t have long. Joke of a league. How [expletive]-backwards do you have to be to be anti-pro-woman but have no smoke for trans athletes? You’re a legit woman hating on someone wearing a shirt that SUPPORTS YOU.”
Advertisement
BE THE GM OF YOUR FAVORITE TEAM: PFN’s Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator
The exchange began with Freedom sitting courtside in a black shirt that read, “WOMAN noun. Adult human female.”
Freedom, who played 11 seasons in the NBA, said he was at the game to watch basketball and support Fever guard Sophie Cunningham. According to Fox News, he said Cunningham hit a 3-pointer, and he raised his hands in celebration.
A few possessions later, Freedom said, Cloud approached him.
“A couple possessions later, [Cloud] came back and said, ‘She’s not gonna sleep with you.’ And I was shocked. I was like, ‘Listen, I’m not trying to sleep with her. I think she’s awesome. She’s a good friend.’ And then, obviously, after that she started yapping, and she started to walk towards me, and literally I just got up, and then I was like, ‘I’m just here to protect women, and that’s all.'”
Advertisement
START PREPARING: PFN’s Free Fantasy Draft Simulator
Freedom said he was surprised by the language used during the exchange, particularly because children were in the stands.
“I just cannot believe that she was just cussing and using those F-bombs in front of all these kids,” he said.
Cloud was not made available to reporters after the game. She did address the transgender community in a post on Threads, “To every trans kid/person, you are a part of MY community and tribe. You belong. You’re loved. You’re seen. You’re perfect as you are and you will always be protected by me.”
Advertisement
Sky coach Tyler Marsh also said regarding the situation, “I told her that we all embrace her as someone who protects our team and protects people who need to be protected. Tash is always going to stand on that, and we stand for Tash.”
Freedom’s presence had already drawn attention before the confrontation. He has announced plans to enter the 2027 WNBA draft, saying he wants to challenge the league to clarify its eligibility rules. He has also been outspoken about transgender participation in women’s sports.
The WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement says only women are eligible to play in the league, though the source material does not identify a public definition or detailed eligibility standard for transgender athletes. The league has said there are no immediate eligibility issues and has criticized efforts it considers intended to demean or marginalize others.
Freedom has rejected the idea that his campaign is anti-transgender or anti-LGBTQ.
Advertisement
“I want to make that very clear because, unfortunately, many media organizations and many journalists are making me look like I am anti-trans or anti-LGBTQ,” he said. “That is wrong. I respect anyone’s personal decision, and I do respect any kind of group out there.”
Nevertheless, he believes the shirt he was wearing may have contributed to Cloud’s reaction.
“I was obviously wearing a shirt explaining what a woman is, and I think that had a lot to do with what she thinks about women. I think it triggered her a lot.”
He also said that the confrontation has not changed his plans. If anything, he said it made him more eager to pursue a place in the league.
Advertisement
“If anything, I’m more pumped up,” he said.
He also added that he would welcome the chance to face Cloud if another team drafted him.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
