Sky ban Kanter Freedom from arena after clash with Cloud - ESPN

CHICAGO — The Chicago Sky have banned Enes Kanter Freedom from Wintrust Arena after the former NBA player was removed from the building by security Sunday.

Kanter Freedom was involved in a verbal altercation with Sky point guard Natasha Cloud late in the third quarter of a loss against the Indiana Fever. He was sitting courtside in a black T-shirt that read: «WOMAN noun. adult human female.» When a timeout was called, Cloud walked toward Kanter Freedom and shouted at him. He was standing with his arms outstretched and took a few steps toward the court before security cut him off and directed him to leave.

Sky owner Michael Alter, speaking to Chicago media Tuesday, said Kanter Freedom had begun to «chirp» and «engage» Cloud in what he believes was an effort to provoke her. Cloud has been a vocal supporter of LBGTQ+ rights.

"[Kanter Freedom] has demonstrated to us unequivocally that he has the potential to be a threat," Alter said. «That he is not able to control himself to the extent where we can be comfortable that he may [not] step towards the court again and towards the players.

»So that is the basis for which we will not permit him into the building until such time as he can prove otherwise."

Kanter Freedom has inserted himself in the political realm in recent years and has been vocal in the national debate sparked by Fever guard Sophie Cunningham's comments regarding transgender athletes. He and former NBA player Royce White recently declared themselves women and eligible to play in the WNBA.

Multiple sources told ESPN that the two are not eligible to play in the league.

During an interview on Fox News, Kanter Freedom said Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca texted him and his representative «just enjoy the game»