The entry of Caitlin Clark in the WNBA has ushered in the golden era for the league. In its nearly two-decade-old history, the league has never touched the heights it is touching now. With the fans’ engagement, fan attendance, TV viewership, and merchandise sales at an all-time high, it is safe to say that every city and owner wants their hands on a WNBA franchise. Just look at the recent example of the Golden State Valkyries. Bought for the expansion fee of $50 million, the Valkyries are already worth approximately $500 million in the franchise’s debut campaign.

Seeing this as an example, many cities tried and applied the bids. Recently, the WNBA announced that three new WNBA expansion teams (excluding Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo) would join the league by 2030. Many cities and ownership groups applied for a chance, but the three winners were Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia. Another city that tried but failed was Boston. 

Boston has a rich history of basketball. With 18 NBA title banners in their arena, T.D. Garden, it is a surprise that they don’t have a WNBA franchise by now. Despite heavy support from investors, fans, and the government, they were not able to secure the franchise this year as well. But, in business, if you really want something and are willing to pay for it, you can have it. According to the Boston Globe Sports, the Boston Celtics’ minority owner, Steve Pagliuca, has finalized a deal to buy the Connecticut Sun.

While the deal is still pending the WNBA’s approval, per reports, Steve Pagliuca plans to move the franchise to Boston. They could move as soon as 2027, as the Boston Globe Sports reports. This deal between Steve Pagliuca and the Mohegan Tribe was finalized for $325 million. Interestingly, the league set the expansion fee for the current round of expansion teams at $250 million. While it may seem that Pagliuca might have paid the premium cost for the franchise, the recent example of the Golden State Valkyries’ growth potential is there for all to see. 

However, that is not all. Steve Pagliuca has also committed a further $100 million for the practice facility. This further commitment demonstrates the seriousness of Boston’s ownership to start competing as soon as possible.. From the Boston Celtics to the New England Patriots, the city of Boston is passionate about sports. Now, with the city soon getting its own WNBA franchise, that passion will translate to women’s basketball as well. This news will surely energize the fans around Boston. But this may also lead to breathing new life into the Connecticut Sun players. 

With the worst record in the league, the Connecticut Sun have had a season to forget so far. Sure, they were expected to have a down year after their whole starting lineup was replaced. But no one could have foreseen a team that ended the last season with a 28-12 record to have a dramatic downturn like this. However, with the news of new ownership, a new city, and soon a new $100 million training facility, this could energize the players for the final third of the season. 

WNBA Boom Leads To Fresh Commitments From Team Owners

The WNBA is the fastest-growing sports league in the world right now. The way fans have started clamoring to support their favorite teams and players just in the last couple of years, there has never been such a revolution in any sport ever. From the days when the WNBA was an afterthought, the league has now established itself as ‘the thing’ in the sports world right now. 

But while the rise in fan engagements is at a record speed, there are still plenty of ways to go. The WNBA players deserve to get more commitment from the league and the owners. The players are already doing their part in growing the league and raising their voice in favor of better pay; some owners have also joined them and have committed to the growth of women’s basketball. 

Steve Pagliuca has already shown his commitment with a $100 million plan for a practice facility. But he wasn’t the first one. The Indiana Fever ownership has already revealed plans for a new performance center worth $78 million. This facility is scheduled to start operating in 2027 and is a big sign of faith shown by the organization for its growth. Better facilities are a necessity to ensure constant steps towards taking the WNBA to even higher heights.

Right now, it’s performance facilities, soon, it will be better and higher pay for the players.