Kanter Freedom, 34, filed the 15-page complaint Thursday, Sept. 3, in the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division. The lawsuit names the Sky, the city of Chicago and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, which operates and owns Wintrust Arena, as defendants.
The NBA journeyman, who has expressed his desire to play in the WNBA, says he was "peacefully exercising my First Amendment rights" when he was removed from the arena.
The incident occurred during the Sky's game against the Fever. Kanter Freedom was sitting courtside while wearing a T-shirt that read, "WOMAN noun. adult human female." In the third quarter, he became involved in a heated exchange with Sky guard Natasha Cloud.
Video from the game showed Cloud pointing toward Kanter Freedom and moving in his direction along the baseline. Her teammates intervened and restrained her before the confrontation could escalate.
Kanter Freedom was escorted by security. As he left, he appeared to make a "talking hands" gesture toward Cloud.
Two days after the incident, the Sky announced that Kanter Freedom was banned from Wintrust Arena.
Sky owner Michael Alter defended the decision, saying Kanter Freedom had demonstrated that he could potentially pose a threat and had not shown enough control for the organization to feel comfortable with him being near the court or players.
Kanter Freedom addressed the lawsuit on social media Thursday, saying his legal action was prompted by what he described as an infringement on his free-speech rights.
"My T-shirt did what the whole WNBA apparently couldn't: define a woman," he wrote on X, adding that there had been no threats or violence before his removal.
He also said he would continue to advocate for women and free speech, adding, "You don't have to agree with my speech but you don't get to silence me for it."
Kanter Freedom announced in early August that he intended to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft. His announcement came amid an ongoing debate surrounding transgender athletes competing in women's sports.
The lawsuit adds another chapter to the NBA player's involvement in the debate, while his future ambitions of playing in the WNBA remain under discussion.
