Connecticut Makes Offer to Keep the Sun in the State
In a strategic move to ensure the Connecticut Sun’s permanence in the state, a formal proposal has been presented. This initiative, driven by the state of Connecticut, seeks to prevent the team’s relocation, two months after the team’s ownership presented an agreement to the WNBA to move the franchise to Boston. The proposed investment, which would use state funds, would involve the sale of a minority stake in the franchise, with a valuation exceeding the WNBA’s current offer of $250 million to buy the team. The league, for its part, would allow the relocation of the franchise to a market of its choice. The games would be held at the Mohegan Sun Arena, the team’s current home in Uncasville, and at the PeoplesBank Arena (formerly XL Center) in Hartford, which also serves as an off-campus venue for UConn’s men’s and women’s basketball programs. The PeoplesBank Arena is undergoing renovation with an investment of $145 million and has a capacity for about 16,000 fans, while the Mohegan Sun Arena can accommodate about 9,000. There is a desire on the part of the state to hold more games in Hartford, but currently, the Sun can only host a few games there each season. In addition, the state would build and finance a training facility in Hartford, which would be leased by the team. The WNBA and Sun ownership are expected to meet in the coming week to assess their options.The proposal is subject to review and negotiation with the Mohegan tribe, owner of the Sun since it bought and moved the franchise from Orlando, Florida, in 2003. Any sale of a minority stake would also be subject to league approval.I believe the best place for the Connecticut Sun is Connecticut because we have a very fervent fan base for women’s basketball,” stated Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz. “We love the Huskies. We love watching the Sun. Many of our favorite UConn players will be part of the Sun or have been part of the Sun, and we have seen that the Connecticut Sun players have been great community leaders and role models.
Susan Bysiewicz
Following the uncertainty about the future of the Sun, the proposal, if accepted, would mark the Mohegan tribe’s commitment to keep the team in Connecticut for the next decade.
The Suns have been exploring investment options for about a year, and in recent months they received two offers of $325 million for the complete sale of the franchise. One offer came from a group led by former Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca, who would move the team to Boston, and another from a group led by former Milwaukee Bucks minority owner Marc Lasry, who would move the team to Hartford. The Mohegan tribe initially intended to accept Pagliuca’s offer in July, but encountered resistance from the league office. The WNBA has indicated to the Sun’s ownership that it would not approve the Pagliuca and Lasry agreements, stating that relocation decisions are made at the discretion of the board of governors and that cities that have already gone through the expansion process have priority. The Sun’s ownership would still consider accepting any of the $325 million deals, but the Connecticut offer could be the clearest option for the tribe, as it would not involve relocating the franchise or require a relocation fee.The Mohegan tribe is very committed to trying to keep the Sun in the state, and the state of Connecticut greatly values the tribe as a key partner,” said Bysiewicz. “We want to maintain that strong partnership with the tribe that we have had, because they took a leap of faith at the beginning, saying that Connecticut should have a women’s basketball team here when not many others thought that was a great idea.
Susan Bysiewicz
“We greatly appreciate what they do and what they represent,” Bysiewicz said about the Sun. “We just want our young people to continue to benefit from this great asset. Yes, it’s economic, but part of it is what makes it fun to live in Connecticut, and it’s also aspirational.
Susan Bysiewicz
