Boston Celtics' minority owner, Steve Pagliuca, has offered a record-setting amount to purchase the WNBA's Connecticut Sun.
With the NBA season still months away from starting, the Boston Celtics' minority owner, Steve Pagliuca, seemed to feel extra ready to be a part of some more basketball.
According to reports, Pagliuca and his group made an offer to purchase the Connecticut Sun for $325 million.
"The sale price would be the highest ever for a professional women’s sports franchise," said Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe.
Pagliuca's goal in the purchase is said to transition the Sun franchise from Uncasville, Connecticut, to Boston, Massachusetts. This will be the second time the Sun franchise will be relocating. They moved from Orlando, Florida, in 2003.
The Sun has yet to win a WNBA championship, but has reached the WNBA Finals four times in its existence, with its last being in 2022.
Currently, the Sun is in a rebuilding process with new head coach Rachid Meziane. The team is currently in last place in the WNBA with a 5-21 record.
The franchise's current venue, Mohegan Sun Arena, is one of the WNBA's smallest arenas, and the franchise doesn't have a dedicated practice facility for the team.
The sale is still in its early stages and would need approval from the WNBA and league governors. A point of conflict has emerged, as the league still has plans to save Boston as a potential expansion city for a team in 2033.
"The Sun sent a letter to season ticket-holders, ensuring the club will play at Mohegan Sun Arena in the 2026 season. The Boston group is targeting a 2027 move and would potentially play early season games in Providence to avoid any conflict with Bruins and Celtics playoff games," Gary Washburn wrote in his article detailing the bid. "The WNBA has yet to comment on the potential sale."
Category: Basketball
