The Boston Celtics organization is about to make history in women’s basketball. Not on the court this time, but in the boardroom where a deal worth hundreds of millions is reshaping the WNBA landscape. For Connecticut Sun fans, this news changes everything.
How Will Steve Pagliuca Transform the Connecticut Sun Into Boston’s Team?
According to a recent report by the Boston Globe, Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca has struck a historic deal to acquire the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun from the Mohegan Tribe, who have owned the franchise since relocating it from Orlando to Uncasville in 2003.
This isn’t just another franchise sale. Pagliuca and his investment group are paying a staggering $325 million for the team, making it the most expensive purchase ever for a WNBA franchise. The deal represents a seismic shift in how the sports world values women’s basketball.
Beyond the record-breaking purchase price, Pagliuca has pledged $100 million to construct a brand-new, state-of-the-art practice facility for the team once it officially moves to Boston. The Sun will call TD Garden, home of the Celtics, their new arena.
A group led by Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca has made a deal to buy the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun and move the team to Boston as soon as 2027. https://t.co/mFtQ9RUujH pic.twitter.com/gYbHnXURNx
— Boston Globe Sports (@BGlobeSports) August 2, 2025
This move aligns with the league’s broader vision of elevating every facet of the women’s game, from ownership and operations to fan experience and market reach. However, this sale is still waiting to be approved by the WNBA and the league’s governors.
“I’ve been pushing for years for Boston to get a WNBA team; I think it would be great for Boston,” said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, as reported by the Boston Globe.
What Does This Mean for the WNBA’s Unprecedented Expansion?
The WNBA is expanding its footprint at a faster rate than ever before. Just weeks ago, the league revealed that Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia will be joining as new franchises. These teams will begin play in 2028, 2029, and 2030, respectively.
Backed by NBA-linked ownership, each of these expansion clubs comes with an entry fee of $250 million, further underscoring the value and desirability of a WNBA franchise. The growth momentum shows no signs of slowing down.
🚨HISTORIC MOMENT ALERT🚨
The W is leveling UP — three new teams, three new cities, one unstoppable future. ⭐
Say hello to our newest expansion teams:
🟣 @clevelandwnba – coming 2028
🔵 @DetroitWNBA – coming 2029
🔴 @philawnba – coming 2030New energy. New legacies. New era.… pic.twitter.com/6ZXaHPxkEw
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 30, 2025
The growth doesn’t stop there. Toronto and Portland are officially locked in for the 2026 season, creating a coast-to-coast expansion that will fundamentally reshape the league’s geography.
The 2025 WNBA season has become synonymous with unprecedented growth, reshaping the landscape of women’s sports. From the New York Liberty’s groundbreaking announcement in March to construct an $80 million practice facility spanning 75,000 square feet, to these explosive expansion revelations, the WNBA is experiencing a golden era of development.
Yet amid all this exciting transformation, the Connecticut Sun, who are soon to be Boston-bound, are facing a difficult season on the court. Sitting with a 5-21 record, the team is far from its usual competitive form as they gear up to face the New York Liberty on Aug. 3.
