- Details
- By Tribal Business News Staff
- Economic Development
Connecticut officials are uniting to oppose how the WNBA has handled the Connecticut Sun sale process, with U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal warning the league it could face federal antitrust violations if it continues blocking efforts to keep the team in the state.
The Mohegan Tribe, which has owned the Sun since 2003, received two bids of $325 million for the franchise — one to relocate the team to Boston and another to Hartford. The WNBA has indicated neither deal is acceptable, arguing cities that previously went through the expansion process would get priority, according to media reports.
State Attorney General William Tong pressed WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert on Thursday to produce documents including the membership agreement between the WNBA and Sun, league rules and regulations, and copies of any appraisals or offers for the team.
“I'm asking for basic governing documents that establish the relationship between the team and league,” Tong said during a Thursday press conference. “I don't think that's a secret.”
In his letter to the league, Blumenthal took a direct approach with his warning.
“Any further attempts by the WNBA to use its considerable governance 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 to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
The league offered to buy the Sun for $250 million, which would allow it to relocate the team to a market of its choice. The tribe has not accepted that offer, believing the price does not reflect market value, according to Blumenthal's letter.
Connecticut has proposed acquiring minority ownership in the team under an arrangement splitting time between the Sun's current home in Uncasville and Hartford, according to ESPN reporting. The state's proposal values the team higher than the WNBA's $250 million offer and includes building a new practice facility in Hartford.
Any sale and relocation must be approved by the WNBA Board of Governors. The league has reportedly blocked proposals that would keep the team in Connecticut or New England.
Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee who previously served as Connecticut's attorney general for 20 years, said he will “demand investigations and enforcement actions from the appropriate federal authorities” if the WNBA hinders Connecticut's negotiations.
The Sun became the first WNBA franchise to turn a profit under tribal ownership and has made the playoffs in 16 of its 21 seasons since relocating to Connecticut.
