Senator Warns WNBA About the Future of Connecticut Sun
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) sent a letter to the WNBA on Monday, expressing his concern about the ongoing negotiations related to the Connecticut Sun team. The senator warned the league to stay out of the negotiations between the Mohegan tribe and potential new ownership groups for the team. Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and former state attorney general for two decades, stated that he will demand investigations and actions from the relevant federal authorities if the WNBA attempts to hinder or restrict negotiations in Connecticut. The letter comes after months of conflict between the WNBA and the Mohegan tribe, which has owned the Sun since 2003. The tribe has been exploring investment options for the team, receiving two offers: one that would move the team to Boston and another to Hartford, both for a total sale of the franchise for $325 million. However, the league has indicated that it does not consider either offer acceptable, arguing that the cities that have gone through the expansion process would have priority. Any sale and relocation must be approved by the Board of Governors. The WNBA has also offered to buy the Sun for $250 million, which would allow the league to relocate the team to a market of its choosing, but the tribe has not accepted that offer, believing that price does not reflect the market value.According to reports, the property is now in talks with the state of Connecticut about a proposal in which state funds would be used to acquire a minority stake in the franchise. Under this offer, games would be played in both Hartford and Uncasville, the team’s current home, and a practice facility would be built in Hartford. The deal would also involve a higher valuation than the league’s $250 million offer. Blumenthal’s letter highlighted the Sun’s historic trajectory in the state, and argued that the state proposal “fully ensures the continued commercial and professional success of the Connecticut Sun and addresses expansion concerns reported by the WNBA.” The tribe and the league are expected to meet soon to discuss future options.“Any further attempt by the WNBA to use its considerable governing and market power over the Connecticut Sun to limit or dictate negotiations with the state of Connecticut could be an unreasonable restraint of trade and interference with the market that would violate federal antitrust laws,” Blumenthal wrote.
Richard Blumenthal
