Connecticut Seeks Minority Stake in Sun to Keep Team Local

Connecticut leaders are making some bold moves to keep the Connecticut Sun—the state’s beloved WNBA team—right where it belongs. With rumors swirling about a big-money offer to move the franchise, officials have started working on a plan to buy a minority stake in the team and lock down its future in the Constitution State.

This proposal would keep the Sun playing in Uncasville. At the same time, it’d let the team host more games in Hartford, maybe giving the city a bigger spot in Connecticut’s sports scene.

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State Officials Aim to Secure the Sun’s Future

Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz said this week that the Connecticut Department of Economic Development is working on an investment offer. The motivation’s pretty obvious: stop the team from getting snatched up by wealthy buyers in other states.

Reports say a possible relocation offer is on the table, worth several million dollars. That’s enough to make fans and local leaders sweat a little.

Uncasville and Hartford: A Two-Home Strategy

Under the plan, the Sun would keep playing home games at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville. They’d also hold some games at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford.

This two-venue idea could help the team reach more fans while still keeping close ties to Mohegan Sun. Bysiewicz has even floated the idea of building a new, state-of-the-art practice facility in Hartford—something that’s sure to get basketball fans talking.

Why Hartford is in the Spotlight

Bysiewicz pointed out Hartford’s central location and sports history. She thinks a new practice center could really work here.

She brought up Connecticut’s nickname: the “Basketball Capital of the World”. That reputation comes from the state’s pro and college programs, from the UConn Huskies in Storrs to powerhouse high schools in New Haven and Bridgeport.

Economic Impact Beyond the Court

Sports management professor Rob Holub from the University of New Haven says this could be a first. Connecticut might be the only state to buy equity in a pro team directly.

He thinks funding could come from money already set aside for the Mohegan Tribe to boost tourism and economic development. That might mean taxpayers barely feel the impact.

Keeping the Connecticut Sun in-state could bring benefits to communities like Norwich, Danbury, and Waterbury. More tourism, game-day travel, and merchandise sales might boost the whole region.

A Potential Model for Other States

If this plan goes through, Connecticut’s move could set an example for other states trying to protect their sports teams. Holub mentioned that owning a stake might let the state weigh in on big decisions and avoid messy, expensive relocation fights.

It could also help the state skip the headache of a league-wide vote on franchise moves. That’s not nothing.

Community Sentiment in Hartford

For a lot of Hartford residents, this proposal isn’t just about basketball. It feels like an investment in the city’s future.

Local leaders hope that more WNBA games could breathe new life into downtown businesses, from restaurants to hotels. Some even think it might inspire new development in nearby neighborhoods—something that’s happened in other cities when sports teams move in.

Boosting tourism with fans traveling from all over the state, including Stamford and New London.
Creating jobs tied to arena operations, hospitality, and events.
Increasing state pride by keeping a successful pro sports team in Connecticut.

What’s Next for the Connecticut Sun?

Negotiations are still underway. A final agreement doesn’t seem close yet, but the governor’s office and the Department of Economic Development are making it clear—Connecticut’s not going to let the Sun slip away without a real fight.

It’s hard to say if this bold approach will actually change how states handle their teams in the future. But you have to wonder, right?

Hartford, Uncasville, New Haven, Bridgeport, Norwich, Danbury, Waterbury, Stamford, and New London could all feel the ripple effects. This isn’t just about basketball anymore; it’s a shot at real statewide economic and cultural growth.

If this plan works, Connecticut doesn’t just keep the Sun. The state might even step up as a bigger name in the sports world.

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Here is the source article for this story: State looks to get minority stake in Sun to keep team in Connecticut

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