Investigation into Enes Kanter Freedom’s Ejection from Chicago Sky Game

The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) has initiated an investigation regarding the removal of Enes Kanter Freedom from a Chicago Sky game and his subsequent ban from Wintrust Arena. The institute filed a public-records request with the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), the body responsible for the arena.

AFPI filed the request on behalf of Freedom under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. “Enes Freedom exercised his constitutional right as an American when he attended the WNBA game in Chicago,” said AFPI’s chief legal affairs officer, Leigh Ann O’Neill. “We are seeking important documents to ensure public entities are accountable when constitutional rights are compromised.”

During the game between the Sky and Indiana Fever, Freedom wore a shirt reading, “WOMAN noun. adult human female.” A verbal altercation occurred with Sky guard Natasha Cloud, leading to Freedom’s removal by security after he approached the court.

AFPI aims to uncover who oversees access, security, and event operations at the publicly owned arena. Their request includes agreements between MPEA, the arena operator Oak View Group, the Chicago Sky, and the WNBA. They are also looking into security policies, law-enforcement agreements, and records identifying who authorized Freedom’s ejection and ban, as well as documentation of federal funding received by the arena.

The MPEA is a municipal corporation established by the Illinois General Assembly. It owns Wintrust Arena, a 10,000-seat facility, functioning through a partnership with DePaul University. While the records request seeks information, AFPI’s action does not confirm that Freedom’s constitutional rights were breached. Instead, they aim to discern if the Sky or arena personnel actions are linked to a public entity.

AFPI has requested MPEA to maintain potentially relevant emails, texts, and internal communications. They seek records on an ongoing basis but have not filed a lawsuit.

Fox News Digital has reached out to MPEA and the Sky for comments. Jackson Thompson, a sports reporter for Fox News Digital, covers significant political and cultural topics in sports with an investigative approach. His work has influenced federal government actions related to Title IX and appeared in major media outlets.