The Connecticut Sun are at the center of one of the most dramatic ownership battles in WNBA history. What was supposed to be a record-setting $325 million sale has been disrupted by the league itself, which shocked fans and owners alike with a $250 million counteroffer. Now, questions swirl: Will the Sun stay in Connecticut, relocate to a new market, or see their value cut by league intervention?
Earlier this summer, the Mohegan Tribe reached an agreement to sell the Connecticut Sun to a group led by Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca. The $325 million deal would have shattered records for WNBA franchise valuations and included a $100 million commitment to build a state-of-the-art practice facility. Pagliuca’s group reportedly intended to relocate the team to Boston by 2027.
The league stepped in with its own $250 million bid, sparking outrage. According to reports, the WNBA’s offer would allow them to relocate the franchise to a preferred market of their choosing while bypassing the tribe’s direct negotiations. To the Mohegan Tribe, this felt less like an opportunity and more like a strong-arm tactic that undervalued their decades of investment.
Tribal leaders voiced frustration over the league’s one-path offer, arguing it strips them of flexibility. Instead, they’ve prepared multiple alternatives: selling to Pagliuca’s Boston group, considering Marc Lasry’s Connecticut-based bid (potentially relocating the team to Hartford), or even retaining partial ownership with a minority stake sale. Their message is clear—they want full recognition of the Sun’s true $325 million valuation.
Markets are lining up. Boston, fueled by Pagliuca’s group, has the financial power and facilities. Hartford is pushing hard to keep the team in Connecticut with Marc Lasry’s support. Meanwhile, Houston—backed by Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta—is emerging as a dark horse, with the city’s history as a former WNBA powerhouse making it an attractive relocation option.
The standoff highlights the league’s growing pains as valuations skyrocket. While expansion is underway in Toronto and Portland, the Connecticut Sun’s sale underscores tension between maximizing revenue and respecting ownership rights. Fans, players, and stakeholders now wait anxiously to see whether the league prioritizes stability, tradition, or pure business strategy.
Comment Section Prompt
Do you think the Connecticut Sun should stay in Connecticut, or would a relocation to Boston, Hartford, or Houston be better for the WNBA? Share your thoughts below!
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