Senator warns WNBA to stay out of Sun sale negotiations - ESPN

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) sent a letter to the WNBA on Monday warning the league to stay out of negotiations between the Mohegan tribe and prospective new ownership groups for the Connecticut Sun, and that «any attempts by the WNBA to block efforts to keep the Sun in Connecticut could violate federal antitrust laws.»

Blumenthal, who is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and previously served as the state's attorney general for 20 years, said he will «demand investigations and enforcement actions from the appropriate federal authorities if [the WNBA] takes any step to hinder or constrain Connecticut's negotiations.»

The letter comes following months of conflict between the WNBA and the Mohegan tribe, which has owned the Sun since 2003. In exploring investment options for the team, the tribe received two bids — one that would relocate the team to Boston and another that would move it to Hartford — for a full franchise sale at $325 million.

But the league has indicated it doesn't consider either deal acceptable, arguing cities that have previously gone through the expansion process would get priority over those who have not.

Any sale and relocation must be approved by the Board of Governors.

The WNBA has also offered to buy the Sun at $250 million, which would allow the league to relocate it to a market of its choice, but the tribe has not accepted that offer, believing that price does not reflect market value.

«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,» Blumenthal wrote, «could be an unreasonable restraint of trade and interference with the market that would violate