Overview
- Kanter filed a 15‑page federal complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on Thursday seeking a jury trial, injunctive relief to lift his Wintrust Arena ban, and nominal and compensatory damages.
- The suit names Chicago Women’s Basketball Operations LLC (the Sky), the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority and the City of Chicago and claims those parties conspired to eject him and enforce an ongoing, unconstitutional ban.
- The underlying incident occurred at the Sky–Fever game on Aug. 23 when Kanter, sitting courtside in a shirt reading “WOMAN noun. adult human female,” exchanged words with guard Natasha Cloud, stood, stepped toward the court, and was escorted out by security.
- Sky owner Michael Alter rebutted the filing as “meritless and frivolous,” saying Kanter was removed for violating the fan code of conduct by rising, gesturing at a player, and moving toward the court rather than for his shirt or speech.
- The case raises broader questions about the WNBA’s undefined eligibility language, the role of public entities in venue security, and whether courts or labor talks will be asked to clarify rules that govern who may attend or play in league games.