Charles Barkley delivered a forceful message about eligibility in the WNBA on Monday while criticizing NBA and WNBA leadership for failing to state clearly that only biological women can compete in female sports, as reported by Fox News.

The NBA Hall of Famer and sports commentator said the league is "for women only. Period."

Barkley addressed the issue during an interview on CNN host Michael Smerconish's podcast.

His comments followed the removal of former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom from a WNBA game Sunday night after Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud confronted him.

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Freedom had worn a shirt reading "WOMAN noun. adult human female." Critics accused him of deliberately attempting to stir up controversy through the public display.

Barkley said he respects the transgender community but believes that "under no circumstances" should biological men compete against biological women.

At the same time, he expressed disappointment with NBA commissioner Adam Silver and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert for not addressing the issue directly.

"I'm disappointed in [NBA commissioner] Adam Silver and Cathy [Engelbert] the [WNBA] commissioner," Barkley said.

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"First of all, you can't let stupid stuff go out to the internet, which is one of the worst things that ever happened to the world."

Barkley argued that the commissioners should have spoken publicly before the controversy escalated. He also acknowledged that Freedom "has a point" because the NBA and WNBA leaders had not clearly drawn a line over eligibility.

"They should have come out two weeks ago before all this. People are looking for attention now...but [Freedom] has a point though, because Cathy and Adam haven't said, 'Hey, it's in the title, WNBA."

Barkley urged Silver and Engelbert to make a definitive announcement and end the continuing argument.

He proposed that they say, "'There's no transgender people going to play in the WNBA. If you don't like it, kick rocks. And we're not going to discuss it anymore.'"

Although Barkley accused Freedom of seeking attention, he repeatedly returned to his central position about the league. "And Enes is trying to get attention," Barkley continued.

"'No, we're not doing that either. The WNBA is for women. And listen, this is the last time we're going to discuss it. We're not going to turn it over to the fools on the internet. We're not going to turn it over to Congress and things like that. The WNBA is for women only. Period.'"

Barkley also pointed to the coverage surrounding Freedom's removal and the backlash against Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham.

Cunningham previously drew attention for opposing biological males in female sports.

According to Barkley, those stories have contributed to a negative reputation for the WNBA.

"When's the last time you heard something positive about the WNBA? I can't even remember. And I'm a WNBA fan," Barkley said.

Fox News Digital contacted the NBA and WNBA for comment. Jennifer Sey praised Barkley for publicly saying what she described as "the truth" about sex and sports.

"Elite athletes have always known the truth about sex and sports. Charles Barkley is just bold enough to say it out loud," Sey said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

Independent Women ambassador Peyton McNabb agreed with Sey and called on the WNBA to state that the league is for women.

She argued that the organization continues creating controversy by refusing to make what she views as a simple declaration.

Director of Independent Women's Law Center May Mailman expressed doubt that Barkley's comments would change public reactions surrounding efforts to protect women's sports.

"Men should not play in women’s sports, and everyone knows what that means. The real question is whether Barkley speaking up will give others confidence to do so."

The WNBA faced further controversy after Freedom and former NBA player Royce White declared their intentions to join the league in response to players and coaches supporting transgender players.

The league's rules state that "only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA," but those rules do not define what a "woman" is.