The Connecticut Sun’s potential relocation to Boston has been revealed. On August 2nd, an investment group led by Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca agreed to purchase the Sun from the Mohegans for a record $325 million, with intentions to move the team to Boston in 2027. The news was first reported by The Front Office.
Insiders indicate that the WNBA does not differentiate between relocating and expansion teams; instead, the league’s board will select cities for teams rather than existing owners. These sources, speaking anonymously, noted that during the expansion bidding process in January 2025, Boston groups will not apply for the team. Teams not awarded the franchise will have priority over Boston.
According to the Boston Globe, Pagliuca and his group have committed to contributing $100 million toward a new practice facility in Boston, in addition to the purchase price. However, Pagliuca has stated that they have yet to receive league approval and cannot move forward without it. He emphasized their proposal aims to provide the Sun with a larger arena in New England, believing this would boost the WNBA in a region known for passionate basketball fans.
The Sun has previously sold out two regular-season games at TD Garden, which holds 19,000 fans, contrasting with their current 10,000-seat home at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Another group led by former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Mark Lasley has also placed a bid to keep the Sun in Connecticut, proposing games at the People’s Bank Arena in Hartford. Like Boston, this Hartford group has not formally applied for an expansion franchise and thus holds no priority.
The WNBA plans to expand to 18 teams by 2030, with new franchises confirmed for Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029), and Philadelphia (2030), alongside the Golden State Valkyries (2025), Toronto Tempo (2026), and Portland Fire (2026). The league assesses cities based on market potential, ownership stability, local and media support, facilities, and community engagement.
Other cities that submitted expansion bids include St. Louis, Kansas City, Austin, Jacksonville, Nashville, Houston, Miami, Charlotte, and Milwaukee. WNBA Commissioner Kathy Engelbert hinted that Houston might be the next city to receive a team, praising its significant history with the league.
The Mohegans originally bought the Orlando Miracle for $10 million in 2003, relocating the team to Connecticut. Though the Suns have yet to win a WNBA Championship, they have made four finals appearances and have reached the playoffs eight years running—the longest active streak—though a poor start to this season threatens that streak.
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Fan Take: This potential move is a major moment for WNBA fans as it signals strategic growth and investment in larger markets, which can elevate the league’s profile and bring increased attention to women’s basketball. Seeing the Sun possibly transition to Boston reflects the league’s ambition to capitalize on passionate fan bases and state-of-the-art venues, taking the sport to new heights.
