Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Key Takeaways
- The Connecticut Sun are reportedly set to be sold and relocate to Boston by 2027, led by Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca.
- The sale price is record-breaking at $325 million, with an additional $100 million pledged for a new practice facility in Boston.
- The move requires approval from the WNBA and league governors, with potential complications due to league expansion plans.
- Boston’s established sports scene and top-tier facilities make it an attractive new home for the franchise.
- The team currently has a poor record of 5-21, indicating a possible fresh start with the relocation.
Table of Contents
Why the Connecticut Sun Are Moving to Boston
Why the Connecticut Sun Are Moving to Boston — What You Need to Know
Big news is shaking up the WNBA as the Connecticut Sun are reportedly set to be sold and move to Boston by the 2027 season. This move is led by Steve Pagliuca, a minority owner of the Boston Celtics, who has agreed to purchase the franchise for a record $325 million.
What’s Happening?
Sale & Purchase: The Mohegan Tribe will sell the Connecticut Sun to Steve Pagliuca’s group for $325 million, marking the highest price ever paid for a women’s sports franchise.
Relocation Plan: The new owners plan to relocate the team to Boston, with a potential move as early as the 2027 WNBA season.
Facility Investment: An additional $100 million is pledged to build a new practice facility in Boston, signaling a serious commitment to the city and the team’s future there.
What About Approvals?
Any sale and relocation must be approved by the WNBA and the league governors. This could be complicated because the league may want to preserve Boston as an opportunity for expansion in 2033 rather than a relocation market. Also, the WNBA has the authority to require the Mohegan Tribe to sell to a Connecticut-based buyer to keep the franchise local. However, the Tribe appears to prefer selling to Pagliuca and moving the team out of state.
Why Boston?
Boston is an established sports city with a passionate fan base and top-tier facilities like the TD Garden, where Celtics ownership says the Sun could play in the future. This move could boost the WNBA’s visibility in a major market and align it with the NBA’s strong presence in Boston.
Current Team Status
This season, the Connecticut Sun have struggled, sitting at the worst record in the WNBA at 5-21, marking a low point for the franchise after years of competitive success. The sale and move may represent a fresh start for the team.
Potential Impact
For Fans: Connecticut fans will likely feel the loss of a beloved local team, while Boston basketball lovers might soon gain an exciting new franchise.
For the WNBA: This hefty purchase price and the move to Boston could signify increasing investment and growth opportunities for women’s professional basketball.
Things to Watch
- Approval from the WNBA and league governors.
- Whether the team will play games in Providence as part of initial transition plans.
- How this influences future WNBA expansion and franchise valuations.
FAQ
Will the Connecticut Sun play in Boston starting in 2027?
Yes, if the sale is approved, the team is expected to relocate to Boston and play there from 2027 onwards, with plans possibly including games in Providence during the transition.
What challenges could impede the move?
Challenges include approval from the WNBA and league governors, potential restrictions on relocating to a non-expansion market, and league preferences to keep the franchise local in Connecticut.