ATLANTA -- Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom was denied entry to Game 3 of the WNBA Finals, according to a video he posted to social media, after he refused to sit in the private suite arranged for him by the Atlanta Dream and State Farm Arena in response to his concerns about his personal safety.
"Enes Kanter Freedom has contacted federal, state and local authorities, the WNBA, the Atlanta Dream and State Farm Arena officials to express concerns about his personal safety during his planned attendance at Game 3 of the WNBA Finals tonight," State Farm Arena said in a statement before Wednesday night's game between the Dream and Golden State Valkyries. "The safety and security of our guests and team members is our highest priority.
"Following consultations with the WNBA, Dream ownership, State Farm Arena leadership and security officials, we have directed Mr. Freedom to watch tonight's game from a private luxury suite. This arrangement is intended to address his security concerns and help provide a safe and positive experience for him and other guests. The suite will have additional security and will be his designated viewing location for the game. State police have also assigned an officer to Mr. Freedom at his request."
Before the game, in a post on X with an accompanying video, Freedom indicated that arena security was "banning us from our purchased seats." He added, "I guess they have to escort me out of the building."
Later, Freedom posted another video at halftime that showed him being informed at the entry gate: "If you come in you have to agree to go to the suite."
Freedom responded: "I purchased tickets, right? Just because I purchased tickets, I would like to sit in my seat. That's all I want."
An Atlanta police officer told Freedom: "You're free to go to the city of Atlanta streets. That's another private establishment over there. He's free to go there. He just can't be here."
A State Farm Arena public relations official said Freedom "was offered the suite for his safety and he rejected it."
Freedom announced Monday on social media he planned to attend the game. It is his first WNBA game since late August when he went to see Chicago host Indiana. He was ejected from that game and banned from the arena for getting into a heated interaction with Sky guard Natasha Cloud.
Freedom said he was motivated to attend Wednesday's Game 3 after learning that Golden State star Gabby Williams said she would support a trans athlete playing in the league.
"As you all know, this all started with an interview featuring Gabby Williams of the Golden State Valkyries, when she said, 'I have no problem with trans athletes playing on my team or against my team,'" Freedom said in his post. "Her words gave me so much hope and motivation to come out as a woman and officially declare for the WNBA draft. I can't wait to watch my favorite player, the woman who inspired me to become who I am today!"
Freedom and Royce White, another former NBA player, have declared for the WNBA draft, saying they identify as women. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has said the league's position is they are not eligible.
On Wednesday, Freedom posted a photo of himself in Atlanta and also posted a copy of a letter from Engelbert in which she replied to a question from U.S. Rep. Marlin A. Stutzman of Indiana about the eligibility of transgender athletes to play in the league.
"With respect to your questions regarding eligibility, only women are eligible to play in the WNBA and the individuals you cite in your letter are both men," Engelbert said, referring to Freedom and White.
As Freedom replied, "Apparently the WNBA still can define what a WOMAN is, but they're absolutely certain they know what a MAN is! How convenient!"
ESPN's Katie Barnes and The Associated Press contributed to this report.