Connecticut Sun and WNBA: Is it time to let go?

The Connecticut Sun, a cornerstone of the WNBA and a fixture in the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville since 2003, is facing an uncertain future in the Nutmeg State.

Political leaders in Hartford and across Connecticut are scrambling to find ways to keep the team. A lucrative offer from a Boston investment group may lure the franchise north.

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Efforts to rally fan support and explore state-backed partnerships are underway. Still, economics and market size might end up deciding the Sun’s fate.

Financial Temptations Behind the Potential Move

Back in 2003, the Connecticut Sun franchise sold for $10 million. Two decades later, the team’s value has jumped to about $180 million.

Now, a bold $325 million offer from a Boston-based investment group is forcing ownership to pause. They’re weighing the benefits of staying in Connecticut against the huge profits from a sale and relocation.

Boston’s Market Advantage

Boston’s professional sports scene offers a much bigger market reach. Potential revenue streams there dwarf what towns like Uncasville or even Hartford can provide.

At one recent Boston-hosted WNBA game, over 19,000 fans showed up—more than double the Sun’s average attendance in 2024. The Sun averaged 8,635 per game in their 9,323-seat arena.

Roster Changes Shake the Team’s Foundation

After an impressive 2024 semifinal run, the team lost key personnel. Head coach Stephanie White left, along with league standouts Alyssa Thomas and Dewanna Bonner.

DiJonai Carrington, the WNBA’s Most Improved Player, also moved on. By 2025, only two players from the previous roster remained, which hit fans in places like New Haven, Bridgeport, and Waterbury pretty hard.

Impact on Fan Engagement

The league saw a boost in attendance thanks to college sensation Caitlin Clark. But the Sun still found themselves near the bottom of the attendance rankings.

This lackluster turnout makes you wonder if a bigger venue in Hartford, or a move to cities like Stamford or Norwalk, would really change much.

Political and Economic Resistance

Lawmakers in Hartford have floated a controversial public-private partnership plan. They want Connecticut’s pension funds to invest in a minority stake in the team.

The idea aims to keep the Sun in-state and maybe stabilize its finances.

Opposition Across the Board

This plan faces strong bipartisan opposition. Both Republican leaders and the state’s largest employee union are pushing back.

Critics in towns like Danbury and Torrington argue that pension funds should stay protected from risky sports investments. The unpredictable nature of franchise relocations only adds to their concerns.

The Harsh Reality of League Control

WNBA ownership structures give leagues the final say on sales and relocations. Even with political willpower and possible state investment, the league holds the cards.

History shows that once buyers and sellers agree, state-level intervention rarely changes anything.

Expansion Timeline Makes Waiting Risky

Boston’s considered too valuable a market to wait for WNBA expansion, which won’t happen before 2030. The Connecticut Sun could be tempted to move long before Boston gets its own franchise through expansion.

What Connecticut Stands to Lose

For fans from Hartford to New London, and from Middletown to Norwich, losing the Sun would mean more than just a sports relocation. It would mark a cultural shift in women’s basketball here.

Years of progress in inspiring young athletes and boosting local economies on game days could stall out. That’s a tough pill to swallow.

Key Takeaways

The Sun’s value jumped from $10 million in 2003 to $180 million today.
Boston investors are throwing $325 million on the table, making relocation pretty tempting.
Losing key players signals a big franchise reset.
Attendance still struggles, even though the WNBA’s growing nationally.
The state’s investment plan faces some tough political opposition.
WNBA rules let the league call the shots on relocations.
Boston’s market looks too good to wait for post-2030 expansion.
Moving the team would hit communities across Connecticut, from Hartford to New London.

Economic forces, market realities, local pride, and political drama are all colliding right now in Connecticut. Will the Sun keep playing in Uncasville, or is the team about to slip away? Fans from Stamford to Waterbury are bracing for whatever comes next.

Here is the source article for this story: Opinion: Is it time to let the Connecticut Sun set?

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