Amid the escalating trans-athlete debate the WNBA is currently facing, former player Alana Beard criticized the league’s leadership for how they have managed the controversy.
However, the co-founder and Chief Basketball Officer of rival league Project B is being criticized by the WNBA world for her comments.
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WNBA World Rips Project B Co-Founder Alana Beard for Comments on Trans-Athlete Debate
Beard claimed that the WNBA had lacked “accountability, integrity, and intentionality” with its response to the ongoing trans-athlete debate. The 2016 WNBA champion also claimed that the Project B upstart would be following the International Olympic Committee and FIBA guidelines on gender eligibility, which means trans athletes are unlikely to be able to take part in the league.
However, her comments did not go down too well with the WNBA world, as many criticized her for commenting on a rival league.
“Ok but like your business your choices, why are you worried about how the WNBA does their business? Also, the IOC has been heavily criticized, by scientists themselves, on the sex testing requirement. And you’re going to double down on that? Choices. Jesus Christ,” wrote one user.
Another called out Beard for attempting to use the polarizing debate to promote her own Project B league.
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“Using this moment to attempt to promote Project B is a bit insane, no? Especially considering what we know about this league. Something about glass houses and stones,” they wrote.
A third user felt that this was an attempt by Beard to get those who disagree with the WNBA on the trans-athlete debate to watch Project B when it officially launches in the coming months.
“She’s using this to promote plan B. She thinks it’ll get the MAGA grifters to watch,” they wrote.
“They’ve only got 15 of the 66 players they actually need and they’re worried about trans athletes,” joked another.
However, XX-XY Athletics founder Jennifer Sey lent her support to Project B and lauded the league for its stance on the trans-athlete debate.
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“Project B, a new international men’s and women’s basketball league, will not allow men to compete in the women’s category. At least one basketball league is getting it right. It’s not hard WNBA. It really isn’t,” she wrote.
Several WNBA players have signed on to compete in Project B, including Indiana Fever duo Sophie Cunningham and Kelsey Mitchell, as well as Nneka Ogwumike, Azzi Fudd, and Alyssa Thomas.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
