Steve Pagliuca, a minority owner of the Boston Celtics, has reportedly agreed to a record-setting deal to purchase the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA, with the intent of relocating the team to Boston by the 2027 season. The deal, valued at an unprecedented \$325 million, would not only mark the most expensive sale in WNBA history but also signal a potentially transformative moment for women’s professional sports. Pagliuca, who has been a visible figure in Boston’s sports landscape through his role with the Celtics and investment firm Bain Capital, leads an ownership group that sees this move as an opportunity to bring the WNBA to one of the nation’s most passionate basketball cities. Though the deal has not yet been finalized and remains subject to league approval, it has already triggered strong reactions from officials, fans, and competing investors in Connecticut and beyond.
The Connecticut Sun, originally founded in 1999 as the Orlando Miracle before being sold and moved to Connecticut in 2003, have long been one of the most consistent franchises in the WNBA. Under the ownership of the Mohegan Tribe and housed at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, the team has reached the playoffs repeatedly, including deep postseason runs and multiple trips to the WNBA Finals. Despite this success, the franchise has often faced limitations due to the size of its market, the modest capacity of its home arena, and the lack of a dedicated, modern practice facility. Those limitations are central to the rationale behind Pagliuca’s offer. The ownership group behind the bid is said to be committing an additional \$100 million toward a new state-of-the-art training facility in Boston that would elevate the franchise’s infrastructure and competitive edge.
The relocation, if approved, would involve the team moving its games to TD Garden in Boston, though early seasons might include some games in nearby Providence to accommodate scheduling conflicts with the Celtics and Bruins. Pagliuca’s group has positioned the move not as a rejection of the Sun’s past but as an evolution that would allow the franchise to expand its footprint in a larger and more commercially viable market. According to statements from the group, they are committed to preserving the identity and legacy of the Connecticut Sun while also creating a more modern, sustainable operation in a city that has long been viewed as an ideal but untapped location for the WNBA.
Boston, despite its deep basketball roots and history of supporting women’s college basketball programs, has never hosted a WNBA team. The idea of bringing one to the city has circulated for years, with frequent sellouts of exhibition or relocated games pointing to strong fan interest. The rising profile of the WNBA, especially amid surging interest in stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and others, has brought increased media attention, television deals, and business investment into the league. Pagliuca’s offer reflects this trend—and perhaps seeks to get in ahead of what many predict will be an explosion in WNBA team valuations. By offering well over the previously rumored expansion fees of \$50 to \$250 million, the bid sets a new benchmark for the financial future of the league.
However, the potential relocation has ignited backlash from Connecticut officials and fans. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has confirmed the existence of a rival offer led by billionaire Marc Lasry, which would keep the Sun in-state and potentially move them to a larger venue such as the XL Center in Hartford. Lamont and other state officials have emphasized the Sun’s importance to the community, their longstanding commitment to women’s sports, and the team’s cultural relevance within the state. Connecticut’s bid, while likely smaller in financial terms, underscores an attempt to retain what many see as a crucial part of the state’s sports identity.
The Mohegan Tribe, which has owned the Sun since acquiring them from the NBA over 20 years ago, has indicated that they are evaluating all offers through the lens of what is best for the team and the broader community. The tribe is said to be in advanced discussions with both potential buyers. While the financial incentives of Pagliuca’s offer are significant, the Connecticut-based bid comes with local support and the possibility of state-funded upgrades to facilities. It is unclear at this stage whether the tribe is leaning toward one offer over the other, though team president Jennifer Rizzotti has confirmed that the Sun plan to finish the 2025 and 2026 seasons in Uncasville regardless of the outcome.
The WNBA’s Board of Governors will ultimately have to approve any sale or relocation of the team. League sources have stated that relocation is not solely at the discretion of any buyer and must align with the league’s strategic goals, competitive balance, and community commitments. Notably, Boston was not included in the league’s latest round of expansion announcements, which featured cities such as Toronto, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Portland. The sudden emergence of a relocation plan to bring the Sun to Boston has caught some league officials and stakeholders by surprise, particularly because Boston has not formally applied for an expansion franchise. The league is expected to weigh the pros and cons of losing the Connecticut market while gaining a high-value investor and a premier media market in Boston.
Support for the move has been strong in Massachusetts. Governor Maura Healey has expressed enthusiasm for the possibility of the WNBA coming to Boston, calling it a natural next step for the city’s sports scene. Healey pointed to the region’s historic support of basketball, from college programs like UConn and Boston College to the Celtics’ storied NBA dynasty. Proponents of the move argue that Boston has the infrastructure, fanbase, and commercial interest to make the WNBA thrive. They also highlight the growing importance of media rights and branding, suggesting that aligning a WNBA team with a major NBA franchise like the Celtics could create powerful marketing and sponsorship synergies.
Despite the enthusiasm, critics warn that such a relocation could be seen as a betrayal of a loyal fanbase in Connecticut, where the Sun have been embraced despite being based in a relatively small market. For over two decades, the Sun have been a model of stability in the WNBA, with consistent success on the court and strong community ties. Fans in Uncasville have packed Mohegan Sun Arena for playoff games, and the team enjoys a dedicated following that extends throughout New England. Losing the team would leave a significant void in the state’s sports landscape and raise questions about whether other smaller-market teams might be vulnerable to similar offers in the future.
There’s also a philosophical debate taking place about whether teams should be moved simply based on the size of the market or the financial strength of the buyer. The WNBA, like many women’s leagues, has historically operated with a different set of values than some of its male counterparts, often emphasizing community, accessibility, and legacy. Some fans and commentators worry that allowing a team like the Sun to be sold to the highest bidder sends the wrong message about the league’s priorities at a time when it is experiencing rapid growth and increased visibility. Others argue that such growth inevitably requires difficult decisions and that moving teams to bigger markets with more resources is a necessary step toward long-term stability and profitability.
From Pagliuca’s perspective, the acquisition represents both a business opportunity and a chance to be part of a broader movement to elevate women’s sports. He has long been a proponent of gender equity in athletics and has spoken publicly about the need for more investment in female athletes and infrastructure. His group includes a number of influential partners, some with ties to Boston’s tech, media, and finance sectors, all of whom see the WNBA as a growth asset. By pouring capital into training facilities, branding, and arena access, the group hopes to create a franchise that not only wins on the court but becomes a central part of Boston’s sports and cultural life.
While negotiations continue and the future of the Connecticut Sun remains uncertain, what is clear is that this moment represents a major inflection point for the WNBA. Whether the league decides to approve the sale and relocation or keep the team in Connecticut under new or current ownership, the valuation alone signals a new era in which women’s sports are no longer an afterthought but a high-stakes investment category. The ultimate decision will test the league’s values, the power of community loyalty, and the weight of modern economics in professional sports. For now, all eyes remain on the WNBA Board of Governors as they prepare to make a ruling that could reshape the league’s future.
