On June 10, 2025, a viral social media post falsely claimed that the WNBA had announced mandatory sex testing for all players, specifically targeting Atlanta Dream star Brittney Griner, asserting she would be barred from the women’s division until undergoing such tests. The WNBA swiftly debunked the rumor, confirming no such policy exists. The league’s official website and social media accounts show no evidence of sex testing announcements, and the claim appears to stem from misinformation circulating online, particularly amid debates about transgender athletes. This article examines the controversy and its implications.
The false claim, which misgendered Griner by referring to her as “he,” gained traction after a post on X amassed over 4 million views. It alleged the WNBA was implementing sex testing to address eligibility concerns, with Griner as the focal point. However, Sportskeeda’s fact-check revealed no basis for the claim, noting the league conducts drug testing for performance-enhancing substances but has never mandated sex testing. The WNBA and the Atlanta Dream did not respond to inquiries from Snopes, further indicating the rumor’s lack of credibility. The misinformation seems to exploit Griner’s high-profile status and ongoing cultural debates about gender in sports.
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and nine-time WNBA All-Star, has faced repeated scrutiny this season, including false narratives. The 6-foot-9 center, who signed with the Dream after 11 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, has been a lightning rod for controversy, partly due to her 2022 detention in Russia on drug charges and subsequent prisoner swap. Recent incidents, such as a viral video from a May 22 game against the Indiana Fever, where some claimed Griner made a racially charged remark toward Caitlin Clark, have amplified her visibility in contentious discussions. That claim, too, remains unverified, with no WNBA action taken.
The sex testing rumor coincides with heightened tensions within the Fever’s locker room, following their 81-76 win over the Dream. A physical altercation between Clark and Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard led to a post-game clash among Fever players, prompting coach Stephanie White to call an emergency meeting. White introduced a seven-word mantra, “We rise together, we win together,” to refocus the team. While unrelated to the testing rumor, the incident underscores the intense scrutiny surrounding both Clark and Griner, two of the league’s biggest stars.
The spread of false narratives about Griner highlights broader issues of misinformation in sports media. Stephen A. Smith recently faced criticism for sharing a fake quote attributed to Griner on a podcast, sourced from a satirical Instagram account, The Sports Memery. Such incidents underscore the need for rigorous fact-checking, especially when public figures are involved. Griner’s supporters on X have called out the testing rumor as “baseless harassment,” while critics of the WNBA’s handling of related controversies argue the league must address such claims more proactively.
The WNBA’s silence on the testing rumor, beyond its lack of corroboration, reflects its focus on maintaining a “no space for hate” campaign, launched this season to combat racism and discrimination. The league’s investigation into alleged racist chants toward Chicago’s Angel Reese in May found no evidence, demonstrating its commitment to fair inquiry. As the Fever prepare to face the New York Liberty on June 12, and Griner continues with the Dream, the league must navigate these controversies to protect its players and reputation. For now, Griner remains eligible to compete, and the testing rumor stands as a cautionary tale of misinformation’s reach.
