Steve Pagliuca Seeks to Purchase Connecticut Sun, Eyes Move to Boston
In an emerging story within the WNBA landscape, Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca has made a substantial bid of $325 million to acquire the Connecticut Sun, potentially relocating the franchise to Boston for the 2027 season. His proposal includes plans for a new $100 million training facility, a move that could enhance player development opportunities compared to the Sun’s current accommodations at Mohegan Sun Arena, which seats just under 9,000.
The Connecticut Sun, owned by the Mohegan Indian Tribe since 2003, has faced challenges, including inadequate training resources and financial pressures tied to substantial debts from a casino venture. Recently, the tribe enlisted investment firm Allen & Co. to strategize its options for the franchise, triggering Pagliuca’s bold bid.
While Pagliuca’s offer received initial backing from the tribe, the WNBA has stepped in to oversee the sale process. The league’s Board of Governors must approve any relocation, and recent reports indicate that the WNBA is prioritizing potential expansion into Boston, aiming for a team by 2033.
Competition for the franchise is heating up, with former Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry also in the mix, proposing to keep the team in Connecticut and potentially moving it to Hartford, where a larger arena exists.
Sun President Jen Rizzotti, a Connecticut native, expressed mixed feelings about the prospective relocation, emphasizing the need for players to have access to superior marketing opportunities in a large city while remaining appreciative of Connecticut’s rich sports history. Players like Saniya Rivers have expressed a preference for Boston due to its broader market appeal.
As the saga unfolds, anticipation grows around the fate of the Sun and the potential for a new chapter in Boston’s sports landscape.
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