At Houston Rockets media day on Tuesday, one of the NBA's biggest stars used his platform to shut down a heated debate and redirect the conversation entirely.

Asked about the divisiveness surrounding the WNBA and the involvement of former teammates in the controversy, Kevin Durant refused to engage with the politics directly. Instead, he pointed to what he sees as undeniable progress. 

"All that stuff is just noise, man," Durant said, as per Heavy. "WNBA is flourishing. Look what these women are doing. Look at the money they made over the last few years. Look at the visibility of their league. They got four or five signature athletes on major brands that are representing major brands.”

Durant is not a fan of mixing politics and sports, and he despises it, as he continued his defense of the WNBA.

"So a lot of that stuff, the politics that they bring into sports nowadays,” said Durant as published by Heavy. ”But a person like me, who just strictly cares for the purity of the sport, I do not give a f*** about none of that. I care about flourishing and pushing the league forward."

The comments came amid weeks of heightened attention on the WNBA following Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham's July remarks about transgender athletes in women's sports. 

Though no transgender players currently compete in the league, the comments sparked protests outside arenas and drew coverage from conservative media. Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White later added to the controversy by declaring interest in the 2027 WNBA Draft as a form of protest.

But Durant is unshaken by these. And this is not the first time he has supported the WNBA.

Kevin Durant's Long Support For WNBA

Kevin Durant's backing of the WNBA goes well beyond occasional praise, spanning investment, recruitment, media, and mentorship over several years.

Durant made an early investment in women's sports media back in 2021, later joining a formal ownership group exploring a WNBA expansion franchise, a clear signal of long-term commitment to the league's growth beyond the court, as per KVUE.

During his time with the Brooklyn Nets, Durant also played a role in recruiting Breanna Stewart to New York, helping shape her decision to join the Liberty and elevate one of the league's flagship franchises.

Through his company Boardroom, Durant has consistently spotlighted WNBA voices, featuring athlete profiles and coverage of the league's business side to give players added visibility in mainstream sports conversations.

Do you think athletes like Durant staying out of the political debate helps or hurts the broader conversation around women's sports?

Written by

Zaid Quraishi