The leader of the House Select Committee on China is calling on the owner of Washington's NBA and NHL franchises to sever business ties with Chinese technology giant Alibaba.

In the letter released June 30, committee Chairman Rep. John Moolenaar told Monumental Sports & Entertainment CEO Ted Leonsis that he "would appreciate your confirmation that MSE will discontinue or has already discontinued any ongoing business relationship with Alibaba and its affiliates.” 

He also gave Leonis until July 15 to respond.

The request comes after the Pentagon last month designated Alibaba as a "Chinese military company," alleging the company supports China's military-civil fusion strategy. The designation places Alibaba among nearly 200 entities that the Defense Department has flagged.  

Alibaba has since filed a lawsuit, arguing it has no ties to the Chinese military and should be removed from the Defense Department's list. A federal judge temporarily ruled in the company's favor, granting it a legal reprieve from the list.

The letter reflects growing bipartisan concern in Congress over China's influence in American sports and entertainment. The House Select Committee on China has previously examined relationships between major sports organizations and Chinese companies.

Moolenaar and the committee sent a letter last year urging the Department of Homeland Security to review Alibaba's sponsorship agreement with the International Olympic Committee ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics saying they have "serious concern about the [IOC's] ongoing partnership with Alibaba Group and the implications of allowing a People’s Republic of China-based cloud provider to support the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.”

Monumental is not the only American sports organization with Alibaba ties. Alibaba co-founder Joseph Tsai owns both the NBA's Brooklyn Nets and the WNBA's New York Liberty.