Enes Kanter Freedom directed to luxury suite at WNBA Finals game

Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom has been directed to watch Game 3 of the WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries from a private suite at State Farm Arena. Fox News, FOX Sports, Yahoo, ESPN, and WSLS all report that the arrangement was made to address security concerns. Fox News and the Daily Mail reported that Freedom refused the move to a suite and vowed to sit in his purchased courtside seats. [1][2][3][4][9][10][11]

Fox News and the Daily Mail reported that Freedom recorded a phone conversation with security officials, stating, "I guess they'll have to drag me." Freedom claimed that he received death threats over his plans to attend the game. The Daily Mail also reported that Freedom claimed he would be under FBI protection during the event. [1][2][3]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, Freedom contacted law enforcement after receiving threats linked to his planned attendance. Freedom declared for the WNBA draft in August 2026 to protest the gender eligibility criteria of the league. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert stated in an October 16 letter that Freedom is ineligible to play in the league because he is a man. [15][16]

Freedom played 11 seasons in the National Basketball Association after being selected as the third overall pick in the 2011 draft. The WNBA Finals is the annual championship series of the league, featuring the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries at State Farm Arena for Game 3. [1][6][12][13]