Enes Kanter Freedom Ejected From WNBA Finals Game 3 After Refusing Luxury Suite
The former NBA player was escorted out of State Farm Arena by Atlanta police after declining security arrangements intended to move him away from his purchased courtside seats.
Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from Game 3 of the WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Kanter Freedom was denied entry to his purchased courtside seats and escorted off the property by local police after refusing to watch the game from a private luxury suite.
Prior to the game, the Atlanta Dream released a statement explaining that Kanter Freedom had contacted federal, state, and local authorities, along with the WNBA and arena officials, to express personal safety concerns. Following consultations, league and arena leadership directed him to a secure private suite to safeguard both his experience and that of other attendees.
Kanter Freedom rejected the arrangement, sharing videos on social media of his interactions with security and league officials. In a phone conversation prior to the event, he stated that arena personnel would have to drag him from the venue, maintaining that he wanted to sit in the exact seats he had purchased.
Upon arriving at State Farm Arena, security personnel informed Kanter Freedom that entry was contingent upon utilizing the designated suite. After he continued to demand access to his courtside seats, Atlanta police officers escorted him off the premises, telling him he could not remain on the property.
Following his removal, Kanter Freedom claimed on social media that he was barred from the venue for supporting women. "They kicked me out of the game for supporting women," he said, expressing criticism of both the NBA and the WNBA.
The incident follows prior controversy earlier in the season when Kanter Freedom was ejected and banned from Wintrust Arena after a physical confrontation with players during a Chicago Sky game. Kanter Freedom has recently drawn scrutiny and filed a lawsuit regarding that previous ejection, while also attempting to declare for the WNBA draft.
The WNBA previously addressed his draft eligibility and actions in a letter to congressional representatives, stating that the league maintains a strict fan code of conduct to ensure disruptive behavior does not occur and noting that only women are eligible to play in the league.