A group led by Steve Pagliuca, a minority owner of the Boston Celtics, has agreed to purchase the Connecticut Sun for a record $325 million with plans to relocate the team to Boston, sources familiar with the deal revealed. The team is set to start playing in Boston in the 2027 season, and Pagliuca will contribute $100 million toward a new training facility in the city. This transaction is awaiting approval from the WNBA and its board.
The Connecticut Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribe since 2003 after moving from Orlando, has played some games at Boston’s TD Garden and was the first league franchise run by non-NBA owners to turn a profit. The WNBA has recently announced five expansion teams set to join between 2026 and 2030, each paying a $250 million expansion fee, highlighting the league’s growth.
Boston had not initially been part of the WNBA’s expansion team selection but is now prioritized for future franchise opportunities. The Sun announced plans to seek new ownership earlier this year with the assistance of Allen & Company. Despite lacking its own training facility and practicing in casino venues or community centers, the Sun was one of the league’s more successful teams, though they have recently lost several key players and are currently last in the standings.
The last WNBA team sale occurred in 2021, with the Atlanta Dream purchased for under $10 million, and the Las Vegas Aces changing hands for about $2 million a year ago.
Fan Take: This move signals a major financial and strategic boost for the WNBA, reflecting increased investment and growing popularity of women’s basketball. Bringing the Sun to Boston could heighten the league’s visibility and competitiveness, benefiting fans and players alike by fostering a stronger, more vibrant basketball community.
