The legal dispute between former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom and the Chicago Sky has taken another turn. Sky owner Michael Alter has strongly rejected Freedom’s lawsuit, calling it “meritless and frivolous.”
The lawsuit comes after Freedom was removed from a WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever on August 23. Freedom claims that his First Amendment rights were violated during the incident. He is asking for damages and wants his ban from attending games at Wintrust Arena removed.
What Happened During the Game?
Freedom was sitting near the baseline during the game while wearing a black shirt with the message, “WOMAN noun. adult human female.”
The situation changed late in the third quarter. After Natasha Cloud scored, she reportedly approached Freedom and began yelling and pointing toward him. Freedom stood up, held his arms out and stepped onto the court as security personnel and Sky players moved between them.
Security eventually escorted Freedom out of the arena. He also spoke with police officers before leaving.
According to Freedom’s lawsuit, the defendants acted together to discriminate against him because of his speech and expressed viewpoint.
Why Did Michael Alter Reject the Lawsuit?
Michael Alter has offered a different explanation for Freedom’s removal. According to Alter, Freedom was not removed because of what was printed on his shirt.
Alter said Freedom had been wearing the shirt for several hours without security intervention. He argued that the removal happened only after Freedom allegedly broke the fan code of conduct by standing up, gesturing toward a player and moving toward the court.
| Freedom’s Claim | Michael Alter’s Position |
|---|---|
| He was removed because of his speech | He was removed because of his conduct |
| His First Amendment rights were violated | Fan conduct rules were violated |
| He wants his ban removed | The ban remains based on safety and conduct concerns |
Freedom Was Later Banned From Sky Games
On August 25, Alter announced that Freedom was banned from Sky games at Wintrust Arena until he could show that he would follow the team’s rules without becoming a potential threat.
Freedom has rejected the reasoning behind the ban. He said people do not have to agree with his speech but argued that disagreement should not result in being silenced.
The dispute has also attracted attention because of the wider debate surrounding gender identity and participation in women’s professional sports.
What Happens Next?
The lawsuit now moves the dispute into the legal system, where the court will have to consider the claims made by Freedom and the defense presented by the defendants.
For now, Michael Alter and Enes Kanter Freedom have sharply different versions of why the former NBA player was removed from the game. The central question will be whether the incident was primarily about Freedom’s speech or his conduct inside the arena.
The court proceedings could provide a clearer answer as the case develops.