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Enes Kanter Freedom sues Chicago Sky and arena authority following ejection

The former NBA player alleges his First Amendment rights were violated when he was removed and indefinitely barred from Wintrust Arena.

Updated Sep 3, 2026 · 22:18 UTC1 reports

The short version

  • Enes Kanter Freedom filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Chicago Sky, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, and the City of Chicago.
  • The action stems from an August 23 incident where Freedom was ejected and indefinitely banned from Wintrust Arena following a verbal altercation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud.
  • Freedom argues the ejection discriminated against his protected speech regarding gender and women's sports, while the Sky previously characterized his behavior as disruptive.
  • The lawsuit seeks a ruling declaring the arena ban unconstitutional, alongside nominal and compensatory damages.

Key facts

  • Enes Kanter Freedom filed a federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court against Chicago Women's Basketball Operations LLC, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, and the City of Chicago.[Fox News]
  • Freedom was ejected from an August 23 game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena and subsequently received an indefinite ban from the venue.[Fox News]
  • The lawsuit alleges that Freedom was targeted and removed because of his political viewpoints and a T-shirt he wore stating 'WOMAN noun, adult human female.'[Fox News]
  • The complaint alleges Sky player Natasha Cloud directed profanities at Freedom without receiving disciplinary action from the league or team.[Fox News]
  • Sky owner Michael Alter defended the ejection by asserting Freedom was provoking players and created an unacceptable disruption.[Fox News]
  • Freedom is requesting nominal and compensatory damages, as well as a formal declaration that the defendants violated his First Amendment rights.[Fox News]

What remains uncertain

  • The Chicago Sky and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority have not yet formally responded to the complaint in court or provided public comment on the filing.[Fox News]

Sources