Tribe of Mohegan to Transfer Ownership of WNBA's Connecticut Sun to Owner of Boston Celtics Minority Stake for a Sizable $325 Million
The Connecticut Sun, one of the original four expansion teams in the WNBA, is on the brink of a significant change. According to reports, the team is set to relocate to Boston in 2027, subject to approval from the WNBA Board of Governors. The potential buyer is Steve Pagliuca, a minority governor of the Boston Celtics, who has agreed to pay a record-breaking $325 million for the franchise.
If the deal goes through, the Sun will move to Boston for the first time since its relocation from Orlando in 2002. The sale agreement is with the Mohegan Tribe, the current owners, who were persuaded by Pagliuca's offer and the success of recent Sun games held in Boston.
The new ownership has plans for the team's future. Pagliuca has pledged an additional $100 million for a new practice facility in Boston, and the Sun will play home games at TD Garden. There are also plans for early-season games in Providence, Rhode Island, to manage scheduling conflicts.
The WNBA is currently experiencing a surge in popularity, leading to league expansion. The Sun's potential move to Boston is part of this trend, with the league announcing the selection of five expansion cities: Portland, Toronto, Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia. Cleveland, Detroit, and Portland had previous WNBA franchises, but they all folded, with the Detroit Shock moving to Tulsa and then to Dallas, and the Portland Fire closing after three seasons.
Despite not winning a WNBA championship, the Sun has been one of the league's most successful regular-season teams, making the playoffs in 16 of its 22 seasons in Connecticut. However, the team is currently in a significant rebuilding phase, with a record of 5-22 after losing all five starters from last year's team. If the Sun's relocation is the team's last year in Connecticut, they will make sure to put on a memorable season.
Jennifer Rizzotti, Connecticut Sun President, confirmed that the deal is in progress but has not been finalized. Rizzotti stated that if the Sun's relocation is the team's last year in Connecticut, they will make sure to put on a memorable season.
[1] ESPN.com, "Sources: Sun nearing sale to Boston Celtics minority owner Pagliuca" (2023, March 10). [2] The Boston Globe, "Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca in talks to buy Connecticut Sun WNBA team" (2023, March 10). [4] The Washington Post, "Connecticut Sun to relocate to Boston, pending league approval" (2023, March 11).
The Connecticut Sun, potentially moving to Boston in 2027, will play basketball in TD Garden, marking its return to Boston since its initial relocation from Orlando in 2002. Steve Pagliuca, a Boston Celtics minority governor, has agreed to pay a record-breaking $325 million for the WNBA team, with plans for a new practice facility and games in Providence, Rhode Island, to manage scheduling conflicts.
