Is it really time to say goodbye to the Connecticut Sun? Not quite yet. “Can’t believe everything you read,” Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont told CT Insider. “When it comes to the Connecticut Sun, we’re late in the fourth quarter, we still have some catching up to do, but it’s not over until it’s over. We’re fighting like heck. Connecticut is the home of women’s basketball. The Sun ought to be right here.”

Well, that’s the argument buzzing around the WNBA right now—should the team stay in Connecticut or relocate to Boston? Whatever the answer may be, one thing is clear: the Mohegan Tribe, which took ownership of the team after it originally moved from Orlando to Uncasville in 2003, has already reached a deal. But despite reports, it isn’t actually done yet!

How did the team land in this situation?

Well, it all started when Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca reached a deal with the Mohegan Tribe to buy the franchise for $325 million and relocate the team to Boston starting in 2027. This offer followed the current ownership hiring Allen & Company — Wall Street’s go-to firm for major sports transactions — to explore a potential sale. And while Billionaire Marc Lasry and others expressed interest, ultimately, it was Pagliuca’s bid that resonated most.

Why? Pagliuca brought with him a $100 million commitment to build a state-of-the-art practice facility, a bold and pricey move. And what was adding weight? Not only do the Sun have one of the smallest venues in the league and lack a good practice facility, but TD Garden hosted two sold-out games featuring the team, giving a glimpse of a possible Boston-based future. But, it really isn’t about the future or the team, it’s the league interfering in between!

League holds the power and the priorities

The WNBA has intervened in the process because, although the deal, including a $110 million future investment in a training facility, was presented to Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, it never reached the league’s Board of Governors. And? The exclusivity period between Pagliuca and the Mohegan Tribe has since expired, reopening the door for other bidders, including former Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry, who’s focused on keeping the team in Connecticut.

So, as the league has the authority to force a sale to a Connecticut-based buyer, sources say they are cooperating with that possibility. Though the WNBA has not made any official statements on the matter, Jennifer Rizzotti doesn’t sound entirely thrilled about the current position they are in.

“I can’t really comment on what the league may or may not want for the Sun,” she said. “I will reiterate that they’ve been thoughtful about where they’ve wanted the league to go and having ownership groups that are invested at the right level. I can’t imagine that if there is an investment group at the right level in a great city, why anybody would not consider that to be a viable option.” 

Well, to be honest, this wouldn’t be the first, or last, time the Sun underwent a transformation. Back in 2003, the Mohegan Tribe paid $10 million to purchase the Orlando Miracle, moving the team 1,200 miles north to Uncasville and marking the beginning of professional basketball in Connecticut. Even then, both the sale and relocation required approval from the WNBA’s Board of Governors—and 22 years later, the process remains the same.

Now, many within the state are urging the league to keep the Sun in Connecticut. State Senator Cathy Osten, a Democrat whose district includes Uncasville, shared that during a recent event at Mohegan Sun, she was stopped by several people asking her to help keep the team local.

“I’m hoping they’re not leaving at all,” Osten said. “In particular, I think it’s vital they stay in eastern Connecticut because we’re the tourism capital, and it’s where most of our jobs come from, from the two tribal nations.” So, you as the deal isn’t done people are still hopeful. But.. Is it a win-win—or a wait-and-see for league?

Well, from a business standpoint, the WNBA is in a win-win situation. When Commissioner Engelbert announced expansion to Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Detroit, she hinted more cities were on deck. “Houston would be up next, for sure,” she said in June.

But if the Sun were to relocate to Boston—one of the biggest untapped sports markets in the country without a WNBA team—the league would miss out on a massive expansion fee, reportedly in the $50 to $75 million range, depending on market hype. That’s not a small sacrifice. And again, MTGA’s financial pressure is real—with billions in debt and major repayments looming, they are exploring “different avenues of investment opportunities” for the Sun.

So, while there’s mutual interest between Boston and the Sun, the deal isn’t done—and that’s exactly why the league hasn’t said “yes” yet.