Enes Kanter Freedom leaves WNBA Finals Game 3 after seat dispute

Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom left the Atlanta Dream's 97-71 victory over the Golden State Valkyries in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday night after declining to sit in a private luxury suite. Arena officials stated that the alternative seating arrangement was established to address safety concerns that Freedom had previously communicated to federal, state, and local authorities, as well as league and team officials.

Prior to tipoff, State Farm Arena announced that Freedom would be directed to a private suite featuring extra security, noting that a state police officer had also been assigned to him at his request. However, gate staff informed Freedom that entry was contingent upon agreeing to use the suite rather than the courtside seats he had purchased. After refusing the alternative seating, Freedom departed the venue and asserted on social media that he had been ejected.

In a statement, a State Farm Arena public relations representative clarified the situation, stating that Freedom "was offered the suite for his safety and he rejected it." An Atlanta police officer on the scene informed Freedom that he was free to leave the area. The incident marks the second time this season that Freedom has failed to complete attendance at a WNBA game, following an ejection and subsequent arena ban in Chicago during August after an interaction with Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud.

Freedom's presence at the arena is tied to his ongoing public campaign regarding the league's gender eligibility policies. Alongside fellow former NBA player Royce White, Freedom has publicly declared his intention to join the league. In response to congressional inquiries, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert stated that "only women are eligible to play in the WNBA and the individuals you cite in your letter are both men."

Alongside his WNBA campaign, Freedom used recent media interviews to criticize the culture of the NBA and target prominent players, specifically LeBron James. Freedom claimed that a former teammate told him James' activism served his own interests, stating, "Whatever is LeBron doing is for LeBron." He also echoed criticisms from President Donald Trump regarding James' behavior during the national anthem before a recent game, labeling James "the dictator of the NBA" and asserting that he is the reason the league maintains a progressive culture.

Freedom also reflected on his final season in the NBA with the Boston Celtics in 2021, alleging that he was shunned by teammates after appearing on Fox News to discuss human rights abuses in China. He claimed that while teammates praised his appearances on CNN, visiting a conservative network resulted in colleagues giving him cold treatment and avoiding conversations in the locker room out of fear of backlash.

On the court, the Atlanta Dream secured a dominant win to claim a two-games-to-one series lead in front of a sold-out crowd of 17,099 fans. Angel Reese led the effort for Atlanta with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Game 4 of the WNBA Finals is scheduled for Saturday at State Farm Arena, with officials maintaining security protocols as the series continues.