Enes Kanter Freedom files lawsuit against Chicago Sky after ejection and ban

<p>Enes Kanter Freedom has initiated legal action against the Chicago Sky following his ejection from Wintrust Arena after an altercation with guard Natasha Cloud during a game against the Indiana Fever.</p><p>Freedom filed his federal complaint in U.S. District Court, stating he was "peacefully exercising my First Amendment rights" by sitting near the baseline and wearing a T-shirt that read, "WOMAN noun, adult human female." The Sky subsequently banned him indefinitely from Wintrust Arena, prompting him to consider legal action.</p><p>The lawsuit names Chicago Women’s Basketball Operations, LLC, which operates the Sky, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), which financed and built Wintrust Arena, and the City of Chicago as defendants. Freedom claims they "combined and conspired, and acted jointly to execute their conspiracy, to discriminate against Plaintiff based on Plaintiff’s verbal and demonstrable expression of viewpoint and gender identity when they wrongfully ejected Plaintiff from a recent WNBA game."</p><p>According to the lawsuit, "Defendants compounded and exacerbated Plaintiff’s injuries when they subsequently banned Plaintiff indefinitely from attendance." Freedom asserts that he "believes deeply and advocates forcefully that the integrity of women-only sports must be protected," a point he has made in various public appearances.</p><p>The lawsuit also reiterates Freedom's assertion that he self-identifies as a player eligible to participate in the WNBA, as per the league's rules. He has faced backlash for this stance, which is mentioned in the lawsuit. It states, "Plaintiff has been the target of a torrent of hateful attacks and discriminatory actions based on Plaintiff’s viewpoint and gender identity."</p><p>The lawsuit details the events of August 23 from Freedom's perspective, beginning with his manager sending a "courteous text message" to Sky GM Jeff Pagliocca, informing him of Freedom's attendance. Pagliocca allegedly responded, "Appreciate the text," but Sky owner Michael Alter reportedly alerted Wintrust Arena Security about Freedom’s expected presence.</p><p>Freedom claims he was harassed by Sky fans, who allegedly used vulgar language, including racial slurs. The lawsuit notes, "None of these fans were warned or ejected, despite profanity and racial slurs being express violations of the WNBA Fan Code of Conduct."</p><p>During the third quarter, Freedom raised his arms in celebration of a three-pointer made by Sophie Cunningham of the Fever, who has also faced criticism for her views on biological men participating in women’s sports. Following a timeout, Cloud allegedly directed vulgar language at Freedom and charged toward him, according to the lawsuit.</p><p>Freedom believes Cloud's actions were motivated by the message on his shirt and his public stance on protecting women's sports. The lawsuit states that while Freedom raised his arms "in confusion and disbelief," Cloud continued to shout profanities at him, which he claims violated WNBA rules. Cloud was not ejected, nor did the WNBA take any disciplinary action against her. Alter confirmed that the Sky would not act against Cloud.</p><p>The lawsuit also claims that Alter mischaracterized the interaction, suggesting Freedom was "chirping" at Cloud before the incident. In an interview, Alter compared Freedom's actions to shooting a gun at someone, stating, "You take action that becomes a threat, you don’t get a warning."</p><p>Freedom asserts that damages against him continue as long as the ban from Wintrust Arena remains in effect. He is seeking a court declaration that the defendants violated his First Amendment rights by ejecting him and barring him from re-entry, as well as an award for nominal and compensatory damages.</p><p>In a post accompanying his lawsuit, Freedom stated, "My T-shirt did what the whole [WNBA] apparently couldn’t: define a woman. No threats. No violence. Just biology. And somehow, that required a security escort. You don’t have to agree with my speech but you don’t get to silence me for it. I will not be intimidated. I will not be silenced. I will continue to stand for women and defend free speech."</p><p>The Sky and MPEA did not respond to a request for comment regarding the lawsuit. An official stated that the City of Chicago does not comment on pending litigation.</p>