The topic of transgender athletes in sports has remained a controversial subject for a while now. As it has now reached the NBA and WNBA world, many opinions are separated into two groups. While some are all in for transgender women playing the WNBA, others, like Michael Porter Jr., are firmly against it. Veteran coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks, Dawn Staley falls into the former category.
Before the Gamecocks’ NCAA finals, Dawn Staley revealed she believed that transgender athletes should be allowed to play in women’s sports. However, this did not sit well with the Denver Nuggets Michael Porter Jr. While he appeared on the Full Send Podcast, the star brutally responded to Staley’s opinion.
That means if I transition to a woman right now then I can go and play in the WNBA and average 50.Michael Porter Jr. via Full Send Podcast
Porter strongly disagreed that the NBA and WNBA were on the same par even today. Despite women’s basketball having a stellar reputation in the NCAA tournament, Porter believed that even the best player in the WNBA would not stand a chance in the men’s league.
The topic itself has not received a lot of positive reactions from many athletes. College swimmers and volleyball players sued the NCAA for allowing a transgender woman to compete in the national championship. The topic has yet to reach professional basketball, but considering the discussions so far, the WNBA might also have the same stand.
Michael Porter Jr. compared WNBA players to ping pong players
This was not the first time that the Nuggets forward made controversial comments about WNBA and women’s basketball players. Earlier this year, the star faced huge backlash for his comments about equal pay in the NBA and WNBA while appearing on another podcast.
During the episode of the Pivot Podcast, MPJ was asked if he vocalized about equal wages in the WNBA. To answer the question, the star bizarrely compared the WNBA players to professional ping-pong players in terms of popularity.
I know these females want to get paid more and they’re very talented, but so is a famous ping-pong player. Like, the best ping pong player is just as talented as the best basketball player. That doesn’t mean that they’re going to get paid the same because it’s what the people wanna watch.Michael Porter Jr. via Pivot Podcast
Michael Porter Jr. parks debate over "insulting" WNBA wage inequality comments:
"I see from both sides. I know these females want to get paid more, and they’re very talented. But so is a famous ping-pong player." https://t.co/IZ8cl8zmuZ
— Complex (@Complex) February 3, 2024Podcasts have been a problem for MPJ lately. The star has received criticism for featuring on podcasts during the playoffs. But now, making controversial remarks during said podcasts will certainly not receive approval from NBA fans.
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