The Connecticut Sun’s future hangs in the balance as ownership scrambles to save a franchise that has called the state home for over two decades.
What started as a record-breaking $325 million sale has turned into a complex chess match between the Native American Mohegan tribe, potential buyers, and a WNBA league office with its own expansion plans.
Why Did the WNBA Block Pagliuca’s Record-Breaking Offer?
The Mohegan tribe, owners of the Connecticut Sun since purchasing and relocating the Orlando Miracle in 2003, found themselves in uncharted territory when their planned sale to Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca hit a wall.
The tribe has now crafted four desperate proposals to present to the WNBA, all designed to salvage what could have been a mammoth and record-breaking $325 million transaction.
The deal’s collapse centers on geography and league control. Pagliuca had confirmed his group made an offer to buy the team and move it out of the Mohegan Sun Arena, with Boston clearly in his sights.
“Central to our proposal is enabling the Sun to play in larger capacity arenas in New England,” Pagliuca said. “We believe our record-setting offer and deep commitment to growing the WNBA in the region that is home to the most passionate basketball fans in the nation will significantly benefit the league, the team, and all its fans.”
However, the WNBA had other ideas. In April, the league sent a letter stating the tribe “does not have the right to change the playing site of home games outside of the Team Member’s Territory (defined as the 75-mile area surrounding Montville, Connecticut and does not include Boston).”
In April, the league sent a letter stating the tribe “does not have the right to change the playing site of home games outside of the Team Member’s Territory (defined as the 75-mile area surrounding Montville, Connecticut and does not include Boston).” https://t.co/0XseNUlctG
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) August 19, 2025
The league’s position became clearer when sources revealed the WNBA had plans to relocate the Sun to one of its preferred expansion cities. This put the tribe in an impossible position, watching a lucrative sale slip away due to league interference.
What Are the Four Proposals to Save the Connecticut Sun?
Faced with a collapsed deal and an uncertain future, the tribe has developed four distinct proposals to present to the WNBA.
- A full franchise sale to Pagliuca’s group
- A sale to a group headlined by former Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry, who would move the team to Hartford, Connecticut
- Selling a minority stake in the organization
- Allowing the league to purchase the franchise for $325 million and relocate it from the WNBA’s smallest market
The Hartford option represents a fascinating middle ground. While keeping the franchise in Connecticut, it would move the team to a larger market within the state.
Meanwhile, the minority stake option would allow the tribe to maintain some control while bringing in fresh investment and expertise. Notably, Hartford was the home of the former Whalers — now the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL.
Sources indicated that Pagliuca had ambitious plans beyond just the purchase. He aimed to move the team to Boston as early as the 2027 season and had blueprints for a $100 million practice facility in the city. The Boston connection isn’t without merit, as the Sun has played to sold-out crowds at TD Garden, home of the Celtics, for two consecutive years.
How Does This Fit Into the WNBA’s Expansion Plans?
The timing of this ownership crisis couldn’t be more complicated for the WNBA. The league has already announced five expansion teams over the next five years, creating a carefully orchestrated growth plan.
Portland and Toronto will begin their campaigns in 2026, while Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia will join the league in 2028, 2029, and 2030, respectively.
This expansion timeline puts additional pressure on the Sun situation. The league appears to view the Connecticut franchise as a piece in a larger puzzle rather than an independent entity. Moving the Sun to a preferred expansion market would give the WNBA more control over its growth strategy while potentially maximizing revenue in larger metropolitan areas.
The four proposals now before the WNBA represent different paths forward for a franchise caught between competing visions. The Hartford proposal keeps the team in Connecticut but acknowledges the need for a larger market presence. The league buyout option would give the WNBA complete control over the franchise’s future location.
Much now depends on whether the WNBA prioritizes the record-breaking financial offer, the stability of keeping a successful franchise in its current market, or its broader expansion strategy. The Sun has built a loyal fanbase in Connecticut over more than two decades, but the league’s vision extends far beyond the 75-mile radius that currently defines its territory.
