WNBA: Betrayal to Connecticut? The League seeks gold, fans in sight.

The Uncertain Future of the Connecticut Sun: Boston or Houston?

In 2002, the WNBA was facing serious difficulties, desperately seeking support. Two franchises disappeared that offseason, but the situation of the Orlando Miracle was even more critical. Salvation came unexpectedly with the Mohegan Tribal Nation of Connecticut, which presented a bold plan. The tribe brought the WNBA to a 9,000-seat arena adjacent to its casino in Connecticut. Thus, the Connecticut Sun were born, a team named after the casino, betting on the league’s success. The plan worked, providing stability to an unstable league. Despite its location, the team has maintained consistent attendance, reaching fifth place in average attendance in 2022.

Good partners. Great fans.

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Now, with an injection of capital into the sport, the WNBA seems determined to move the Sun as far away as possible. The Mohegan tribe seeks to capitalize on its initial investment. The team, acquired for $10 million, has received offers of $325 million, a record in the WNBA.

• An offer led by Marc Lasry, former minority owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, which would keep the franchise in Connecticut, moving the games to Hartford.
• Another proposal, led by Steve Pagliuca, former minority owner of the Boston Celtics, which would move the team to Boston.
• A third offer from the state of Connecticut, which would keep the team playing in Hartford and Uncasville.

The WNBA, which must approve the sale, has indicated that neither Pagliuca’s nor Lasry’s offers are acceptable. Instead, the league has offered to buy the franchise for $250 million before awarding it to one of the cities that have already gone through the WNBA expansion application process, likely Houston. This would mean that the Mohegan tribe would receive less for their investment. Senator Richard Blumenthal has expressed concern about the situation and has accused the WNBA of trying to force the Mohegan tribe to accept a lower offer, threatening an antitrust investigation if the league interferes in the negotiations. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed that the league will be involved in any relocation decision, but argued that relocation is a league matter, not an individual team matter. The debate centers on money and the massive transformation the league is experiencing. The WNBA seems to favor Boston, but the process could take time. The league could get $400 or $500 million for an expansion team in the future. The WNBA could buy the team and sell it to Tillman Fertitta, owner of the Houston Rockets and the Toyota Center. In Connecticut, politicians and fanatics are worried. The future of the Connecticut Sun is uncertain amidst this “gold rush”.