The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) has initiated a formal Freedom of Information Act request aimed at uncovering the paperwork behind former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom’s ejection from a Chicago Sky game at Wintrust Arena and his ensuing ban from the venue.
FOIA request targets public‑entity records
AFPI submitted a six‑page request to the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), the Illinois agency that owns Wintrust Arena. The request, filed under the Illinois FOIA, seeks agreements among MPEA, arena operator Oak View Group, the Chicago Sky and the WNBA, as well as security policies, law‑enforcement contracts, and any documents that identify who authorized Freedom’s removal.
“Enes Freedom exercised his constitutional right as an American when he attended the WNBA game in Chicago,” said Leigh Ann O’Neill, AFPI’s chief legal affairs officer, in a statement. “We are launching an investigation to ensure public entities are held accountable when American constitutional rights are trampled.”
Incident at the Sky‑Fever game
Freedom attended the Sunday matchup between the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever wearing a shirt that read, “WOMAN noun. adult human female.” During a third‑quarter timeout, Sky guard Natasha Cloud approached Freedom’s courtside seat, leading to a verbal exchange. Security later escorted Freedom from the arena after he stepped toward the court.
The FOIA request also asks MPEA to preserve any relevant emails, text messages, or internal communications while producing records on a rolling basis. No lawsuit has been filed at this time.
Public‑private partnership under scrutiny
MPEA describes itself as a municipal corporation created by the Illinois General Assembly, with board members appointed by the state governor and Chicago’s mayor. The authority owns the 10,000‑seat Wintrust Arena, which operates through a public‑private partnership with DePaul University.
AFPI’s investigation will examine whether the conduct of the Sky or arena personnel can be attributed to a public entity, given the arena’s public ownership and receipt of federal funding.
OutKick has reached out to MPEA and the Chicago Sky for comment.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
