Martina Navratilova gives her verdict after controversy over alleged transgender volleyball player in SJSU heats up with final loss
Martina Navratilova weighed in on the heated debate surrounding an alleged transgender player on San Jose State University's volleyball team after their loss in the final. Amid arguments questioning whether transgender athletes possess an advantage, Navratilova reiterated her stance on biological differences between males and females.
Navratilova has closely followed the situation surrounding the SJSU volleyball team and their controversial season. The university's women's volleyball included an alleged transgender player which led to several of their oppositions in the Mountain West Conference forfeiting matches against them.
In the semifinal, Boise State Broncos were set to face SJSU Spartans. The Broncos forfeited both their regular season games against the Spartans and did so again in the semifinal. In the other semifinal, the Colorado State Rams defeated the San Deigo Mojo to set up a final against SJSU.
On Saturday, November 30, top-seeded Rams defeated second-seeded SJSU in four sets—27-25, 25-20, 23-25, 25-16 to win the Mountain West Conference. Following the final, a heated debate unfolded on X regarding whether transgender athletes have an inherent physical advantage over biological females.
One user argued that this outcome undermined the claim of transgender women having an unfair advantage, suggesting:
"I guess women aren't weaker/inferior than transwomen."
In response, another fan, opposing the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports, countered that volleyball’s team-based nature diluted any individual advantage. They highlighted that while the alleged transgender player might have contributed to the Spartans reaching the final, the team’s overall weakness prevented a victory.
Martina Navratilova, a staunch advocate for maintaining sex-based categories in sports, weighed in, reinforcing the point that volleyball is a team sport.
"There are 6 players on a volleyball team—males have a built-in advantage over females. Try again," she wrote on X.
Martina Navratilova praised the Boise State Broncos for forfeiting against SJSU
Boise State Broncos women's volleyball team forfeited three games against San Jose State University over the inclusion of alleged transgender player Blaire Fleming.
When they forfeited the match for the second time during the regular season, Martina Navratilova slammed the authorities calling the inclusion of Fleming "crazy" and "divisive." She stated that the situation was the opposite of "inclusive and progressive."
Further, when the Broncos forfeited the semifinal, Navratilova acknowledged their scenario and praised them.
"It stinks that these athletes, in order to stand up for themselves, have to give up playing. Bravo girls - proud of you."
Navratilova advocates for equal rights and acceptance for transgender individuals in all aspects of life but firmly opposes their inclusion in women’s sports.