AFPI Files FOIA Request Regarding Enes Kanter Freedom's Ejection from Chicago Sky Game

<p>The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) has initiated an investigation into Enes Kanter Freedom’s removal from a Chicago Sky game and his subsequent ban from Wintrust Arena. AFPI submitted a six-page public records request on Friday to the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), the government entity that owns the arena, on Freedom’s behalf under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.</p><p>Leigh Ann O’Neill, AFPI's chief legal affairs officer, stated, "Enes Freedom exercised his constitutional right as an American when he attended the WNBA game in Chicago. Today, we launched an investigation, seeking critical documents that will assist in our efforts to ensure that public entities are held accountable when American’s constitutional rights are trampled."</p><p>Freedom attended a game on Sunday between the Sky and 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 intervened and escorted Freedom from the arena after he stepped toward the court.</p><p>AFPI’s records request aims to clarify who holds authority over access, security, and event operations at the publicly owned facility. The request includes agreements among MPEA, arena operator Oak View Group, the Chicago Sky, and the WNBA, as well as security policies, law enforcement agreements, records identifying who authorized Freedom’s removal and ban, and documents related to the arena’s receipt of federal funding.</p><p>MPEA is described as a municipal corporation created by the Illinois General Assembly, with board members appointed by the Illinois governor and Chicago mayor. The authority owns the 10,000-seat Wintrust Arena, which operates through a public-private partnership with DePaul University.</p><p>The records request does not establish that Freedom’s constitutional rights were violated. AFPI is seeking documents that could help determine whether the actions of the Sky or arena personnel can be attributed to a public entity.</p><p>AFPI has requested that MPEA preserve potentially responsive emails, text messages, and internal communications while producing records on a rolling basis. No lawsuit has been filed. OutKick has reached out to MPEA and the Sky for comment.</p>