TikTok served as the sponsor of halftime shows for several bowl games on ESPN this season. At least two members of Congress are not happy about it. Representatives Mike Gallagher (Wisconsin) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (Illinois) co-signed a letter to the network that says the social video site poses a threat to the country’s national security and that a business relationship raises “serious questions about ESPN corporate decision-making.”
This isn’t the first time the bipartisan duo has had TikTok in its crosshairs. Last year, Gallagher, a Republican, and Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat, co-sponsored a bill to ban the app entirely in the United States.
Semafor’s Morgan Chalfant reached out to both ESPN and TikTok for comment. ESPN did not respond. A representative for TikTok says the two congresspeople ignored requests from the company to explain how it addresses national security concerns.
“We would welcome the opportunity to share how we are addressing their concerns and familiarize them with the basics of our corporate structure and our policies,” TikTok’s Brooke Oberwetter said in a statement to Chalfant.
Reps. Gallagher and Krishnamoorthi have demanded answers from ESPN about the future of the network’s relationship with the social media app by the end of the month.
ESPN is far from the only entity in the sports world that takes money from TikTok. The popular app also has sponsorship deals with MLS, NHL, NFL and UFC. The company has also made serious ad buys with FOX for the last three World Series.
