Blumenthal Slams WNBA: Accuses League of Influence in Sun Relocation

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, along with other Connecticut officials, has expressed outrage over the sale and relocation of the WNBA's Sun team to Houston, where they will become the Comets. The sale of the team, which belonged to the Mohegan Tribe, was announced on Monday and is estimated at $300 million. The agreement implies that the owner, Tilman Fertitta, also the U.S. ambassador to Italy, will move the franchise from Connecticut to Houston after the next WNBA season.

Blumenthal has expressed his frustration, especially because there was a $325 million offer from Marc Lasry to keep the team in Connecticut, moving it from Uncasville to Hartford. The senator accuses the WNBA of exerting pressure and virtually blocking any deal that would keep the team in Connecticut, which led him to request a Department of Justice investigation to stop what he considers anticompetitive interference.

Blumenthal, in his statements, suggests that the WNBA could have engaged in anticompetitive and monopolistic conduct, possibly violating the Sherman Act of 1890, which prohibits agreements that unfairly limit competition. The senator has also used social media to express his position, urging the Department of Justice to investigate the situation.

In addition to Blumenthal, other lawmakers are also interested in protecting local fans from sudden relocations. Recently, Representative Greg Casar and Senator Bernie Sanders introduced a bill that would require professional team owners to give local communities the opportunity to buy the teams before relocating them.

Brian Anderson, who co-leads the sports practice at the law firm Sheppard Mullin, points out that Connecticut has a limited ability to directly block the relocation. Anderson explains that, as the Sun is a private WNBA team, the key decision lies in the league's approval for the sale and move.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has also expressed his disappointment with the move, noting that the reported sale price is lower than the offer that was made to keep the team in the state. In September, Tong's office requested documents from the WNBA to clarify the league's plans for the Sun, and in December, the Attorney General's office reported that it was assessing the information received.

Blumenthal, as a senior member of the permanent subcommittee on investigations, has some subpoena power. However, he acknowledges that getting action from Congress, especially with the Republican majority, is a challenge. The senator is also skeptical about the possibility of the Department of Justice investigating the deal, given the current political situation and the owner's connection to a major Trump contributor.

Mit Winter, an attorney at Kennyhertz Perry, suggests that the state could sue for damages after the fact, as happened in previous cases with the Raiders and the Rams. In 2018, the city of Oakland sued the Raiders, the NFL, and other teams, alleging violations of antitrust laws, but lost the case. In 2017, St. Louis sued the NFL and the Rams, eventually reaching a $790 million settlement. Blumenthal notes that if he were the Attorney General, he would have prioritized keeping the team in Connecticut over financial compensation.

The state of Connecticut could seek compensation for damages, as has happened in previous cases. In 2018, the city of Oakland sued the Raiders, the NFL, and other teams, alleging violations of antitrust laws, but lost the case. In 2017, St. Louis sued the NFL and the Rams, reaching a $790 million settlement.

Blumenthal, however, points out that if he were the Attorney General, he would prioritize keeping the team in Connecticut over financial compensation. His focus would be on preserving the team's presence in the state rather than seeking financial compensation for the relocation.