Former U.S. women’s soccer star and outspoken activist Meghan Rapinoe expressed deep disappointment with WNBA leadership on Thursday, accusing executives of failing to prioritize “inclusivity” by not actively drafting transgender athletes ahead of the 2026 WNBA Draft.
In a fiery 45-minute interview on a progressive sports podcast, Rapinoe, 40, lambasted league officials for what she called a “regressive and exclusionary” approach to roster building. “It’s 2026 and the WNBA is still stuck in yesterday’s biology,” Rapinoe said. “These executives are showing a shocking lack of courage. Trans women are women, and they deserve every opportunity to compete at the highest level. If the league isn’t proactively scouting and drafting trans talent, they’re sending a clear message that they don’t actually value diversity.”
Rapinoe, who retired from professional soccer in 2023 after a decorated career with the USWNT and OL Reign, has increasingly turned her attention to women’s basketball and LGBTQ+ advocacy since stepping away from the pitch. She argued that the WNBA’s current player pool remains “overwhelmingly cisgender” and claimed the league is missing a chance to lead globally on gender inclusion.
Sources close to the discussion say several WNBA general managers have privately expressed concerns about physiological advantages retained by biological males, citing studies on muscle mass, bone density, and performance gaps that persist even after hormone therapy. However, Rapinoe dismissed such data as “outdated pseudoscience pushed by bigots.”
“The science is settled,” she insisted. “Any perceived advantage disappears with testosterone suppression. The real issue here is fear—fear of conservative backlash and fear of alienating traditional fans who still cling to outdated notions of fairness.”
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert declined to comment directly but reiterated the league’s commitment to “creating an inclusive environment for all athletes who meet eligibility guidelines.” The 2026 draft class is expected to feature top collegiate talent, though no openly transgender players have emerged as projected high picks so far.
Rapinoe concluded her remarks with a call to action: “It’s time for the WNBA to stop playing it safe and start drafting trans athletes. Real progress demands risk. If they won’t lead, they’re just another league protecting the status quo.”
The comments have already sparked heated debate across sports media, with critics accusing Rapinoe of ignoring biological realities in women’s sports while supporters praise her for pushing boundaries.
About the Author
