Congress is asking the owner of Washington’s NBA and NHL teams to cut ties with Alibaba, a Chinese tech giant. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Mich., wrote to Ted Leonsis, whose company, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, owns the Washington Wizards and Capitals, asking him to discontinue any business relationship with Alibaba.
Background
The U.S. Defense Department recently designated Alibaba as a Chinese military company, which has sparked concern among U.S. officials. Alibaba has since sued to have its name removed from the list. The House committee, formed in 2023, has taken an interest in sports and has previously sent letters to the International Olympic Committee and Kristi Noem, then the secretary of Homeland Security, regarding concerns about Alibaba’s sponsorship deals.
Alibaba’s ties to American professional sports teams are not limited to the Washington Wizards and Capitals. Joseph Tsai, who owns the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and the WNBA’s New York Liberty, co-founded the Chinese company in 1999.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
