# Connecticut Sun WNBA Franchise Eyed by Boston Celtics Co-Owner in Record-Breaking Deal
The Connecticut Sun WNBA franchise might soon have new owners, and the numbers are eye-popping. Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca says his group wants to buy the team for around $325 million, which could mean moving the Sun from Uncasville to Boston.
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Negotiations are still happening, and the league hasn’t signed off yet. But if this goes through, it would shake up women’s basketball in New England in a big way.
Potential Record-Breaking Sale Signals WNBA’s Growing Value
The $325 million price tag would blow past any previous sale in women’s pro sports. That’s wild, considering the Mohegan Tribe bought the Sun for just $10 million back in 2003 when the team moved from Orlando.
From Mohegan Sun to TD Garden?
Pagliuca hasn’t said outright that the team’s heading to Boston, but he’s dropped some heavy hints about leaving Uncasville. “Our focus is keeping this franchise in New England,” he said, and both Massachusetts and Rhode Island governors are apparently on board.
This kind of move would hit fans in Hartford, New Haven, and Stamford—folks who’ve been loyal for almost twenty years. Pagliuca pointed to recent sellouts at Boston’s TD Garden, arguing that bigger venues could handle the WNBA’s rising crowds.
That’s a big change from Mohegan Sun Arena, the team’s home since 2003, which has drawn basketball fans from Norwich to Waterbury.
Connecticut’s Basketball Future Remains in Flux
Jennifer Rizzotti, Connecticut Sun president, told fans the team’s sticking around in the Constitution State through the 2026 season, no matter what happens with ownership. That’s at least some relief for people in Bridgeport and New London who’ve made the Sun Connecticut’s only major pro sports team.
League Governance Complicates Relocation Plans
There are some big hurdles ahead. The WNBA made it clear—the league’s Board of Governors, not just the owners, decides on moves like this.
Also, the league pointed out that Boston groups didn’t put in for an expansion team before January’s deadline. Makes you wonder how strong Boston’s interest really is, long-term.
The Mohegan Tribe, which brought the Sun to Connecticut and has owned the team ever since, says they’re looking at different investment options. But they haven’t closed any deal yet.
Investment Beyond Purchase Price
Pagliuca’s group is promising more than just the purchase price. They’ve said they’ll put another $100 million into a practice facility for the team.
“We believe in the future of women’s basketball,” Pagliuca said. “This investment reflects our confidence in the WNBA’s continued growth and the specific potential of this franchise.”
On-Court Challenges Amid Business Transitions
The timing of these business talks lines up with the Sun’s rough patch on the court. Right now, they’re stuck with the league’s worst record—even though they’ve been playoff regulars in past years.
Fans across Connecticut, from Mystic to Greenwich, have felt let down by the team’s recent performance.
For longtime supporters, the talk of a sale and possible relocation stirs up some tough questions. What happens to the franchise’s identity? Does the community connection fade?
The Sun have planted deep roots in Connecticut over the last two decades. They’re a big part of the state’s sports scene, even if they haven’t managed to snag a championship yet.
Negotiations are still ongoing. Basketball fans all over New England are left waiting—maybe even worrying—about what comes next for women’s basketball in the region.
Here is the source article for this story: Steve Pagliuca confirms interest in purchasing Connecticut Sun, but says no deal in place
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