Cathy Engelbert singles out haters 'who never have watched the WNBA' in latest rant

Cathy Engelbert singles out haters 'who never have watched the WNBA' in latest rant originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Following recent controversy surrounding transgender athletes in the WNBA, commissioner Cathy Engelbert responded on Thursday.

Over recent weeks, protests have ensued at WNBA games both in support and against Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who sparked debate with her stance on biological men playing in women's sports. Additionally, former NBA players Enes Kanter-Freedom and Royce White, declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft, saying they identify as women.

Engelbert, however, said Thursday that she believes there are people attempting to "sow divisiveness" by using the WNBA.

Here's what Engelbert said about "haters" of the WNBA and the league getting caught in political debate.

MORE:Why Sophie Cunningham doubled down on transgender athlete stance

Similar to other WNBA games since Cunningham's public stance on transgender athletes, protestors stood outside of American Airlines Center prior to Thursday's Fever vs. Wings matchup in Dallas. Engelbert made comments before the game, per ESPN, while sitting alongside Wings CEO and managing partner Greg Bibb.

Engelbert's comments on the topic were her first since a WNBA statement last week criticizing efforts to make an issue about the eligibility of transgender athletes in the league.

"People are trying to use the league to sow divisiveness," Engelbert said Thursday, per ESPN. "We're being the center of political football for people who have never watched the WNBA, never have written about the WNBA or reported on the WNBA."

Engelbert sent a memo to WNBA team presidents and general managers saying the league "would discuss the subject of transgender women in women's basketball."

"There's always going to be haters out there, and we denounce it," Engelbert said Thursday, per ESPN. "But that's what happens when you have made it as a legitimate sports media and entertainment product."

MORE: What to know about protests at WNBA games for, against Sophie Cunningham