The Connecticut Sun may soon be calling Boston home if a record-setting sale and relocation plan gains approval from the WNBA’s Board of Governors. Steve Pagliuca, a minority owner of the NBA’s Boston Celtics and co-chairman of Bain Capital, has reached a tentative agreement with the Mohegan Tribe to purchase the Sun for $325 million—a valuation that would set a new benchmark for women’s sports franchises in the United States.

If the league signs off, Pagliuca intends to relocate the franchise to Boston by 2027, where it would share TD Garden with the Celtics. He has also committed an additional $100 million toward constructing a state-of-the-art practice facility for the team in the region. “Central to our proposal is enabling the Sun to play in larger capacity arenas in New England,” Pagliuca stated, according to CBS Sports. “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.”

Mixed Signals as Sale Awaits Final Approval

Despite widespread reports of the franchise’s pending relocation, Sun President Jennifer Rizzotti emphasized that the deal has not officially closed. “Contrary to some of the articles that were out yesterday, the team has not been sold,” she said. “… unless it comes out of official Connecticut Sun or Mohegan Sun channels, it’s not official.” Rizzotti confirmed that the Sun will play at Mohegan Sun Arena through at least the 2026 season.

While acknowledging that relocating to a larger market like Boston might appeal to younger players seeking more exposure and opportunity, Rizzotti reiterated that neither the team nor its current ownership can unilaterally decide to move. “It’s not the Connecticut Sun’s decision on relocation. That’s a board of governor’s vote, so the only thing that the Mohegan Tribe can do is sell the team.”

WNBA Board of Governors Holds the Key

The proposed transaction still hinges on approval by the WNBA and its Board of Governors. According to a league statement, “Relocation decisions are made by the WNBA Board of Governors and not by individual teams.” The league also clarified that Boston was not among the cities that applied for an expansion franchise during the last selection cycle, which awarded new teams to Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia.

This could complicate the move. The Board may choose to prioritize Boston as a potential expansion market instead of approving the relocation of an existing franchise. The Mohegan Tribe has expressed a willingness to cooperate should the league insist the team remain in Connecticut and be sold to an in-state buyer.

A Franchise Built on Early Faith and Fan Loyalty

The Mohegan Tribe purchased the franchise in 2003 when it was still known as the Orlando Miracle, marking the first time a WNBA team was owned by a non-NBA organization. Over the past two decades, the Sun have made 17 playoff appearances and reached the WNBA Finals four times—making them one of the league’s most successful franchises.

Yet unlike many other teams, the Sun have never had a dedicated training facility and currently practice in shared or arena-based spaces. Rizzotti highlighted that this reality, combined with evolving league standards, may be prompting the Mohegan Tribe to seek new ownership better positioned to invest in the team’s infrastructure and long-term growth.

“They’re trying to do what’s right by our players,” Rizzotti said of the current owners. “They’re trying to have an understanding and the foresight to know that the league is in a place where a 17,000-20,000 seat arena is probably a standard for the future.”

Fan Base Faces Uncertain Future

While the relocation remains speculative, the buzz surrounding the potential move has stirred emotions among loyal Sun fans. “We’ve gotten a lot of positive feelings from our fans based on the news that we’ll be here next year,” said Rizzotti. “If it ends up being our last year here, we’re going to make sure we blow it out.”

The Sun sold out their last two games held at TD Garden, most recently in a matchup featuring star rookie Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, reaffirming Boston’s potential as a fertile WNBA market. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey echoed this sentiment, stating, “I’ve been pushing for years for Boston to get a WNBA team; I think it would be great for Boston… I also think it would be great for the Connecticut Sun to move to Boston and represent all of New England.”

Still, Rizzotti remains loyal to Connecticut and mindful of the legacy the team and its supporters have built. “There’s no way you can ever get me to say anything bad about Connecticut, its fan base, being here (and) having this be a big part of my career,” she said. “But I know what our players want… and I want to always be part of the legacy of this ownership group, regardless of what happens.”

A Growing League, a Shifting Landscape

The potential move comes at a time of explosive growth for the WNBA. With expansion teams planned for Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029), and Philadelphia (2030), and unprecedented financial valuations across the league—driven in part by heightened visibility and stars like Caitlin Clark—investors are lining up.

Pagliuca’s interest arrives amid this boom, and although his $325 million bid dwarfs the $250 million fees paid by expansion franchise owners, the league must now weigh financial momentum against strategic expansion planning and market balance.

Should the relocation move forward, Boston will add another professional sports team to its vibrant roster, while Connecticut fans may soon be cheering on a team located just over 100 miles away—still, perhaps, a symbol of New England basketball pride.