A seismic shift is potentially on the horizon for women’s professional basketball, as Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca has reportedly struck a significant deal to acquire the Connecticut Sun. This landmark purchase signals a serious intent to relocate the venerable WNBA franchise to Boston by 2027, igniting excitement among Boston sports enthusiasts and signaling a new chapter for the WNBA.
The agreement, currently pending crucial league approval, is valued at an astonishing $325 million, marking the highest acquisition price ever for a WNBA team. Beyond the purchase, Pagliuca’s investment group plans an additional $100 million commitment to construct a state-of-the-art practice facility within Boston. The iconic TD Garden is envisioned as the team’s primary home arena, with flexibility to host games in Providence to circumvent scheduling conflicts with the city’s established Bruins and Celtics teams, ensuring maximum fan access.
Boston has previously demonstrated its appetite for women’s professional basketball, successfully hosting two Connecticut Sun games in recent WNBA seasons, both of which saw sell-out crowds at TD Garden. Despite this proven interest, there lingered a degree of skepticism regarding Boston’s immediate prospects of securing a WNBA team, particularly after the city did not submit a bid in the recent round of WNBA expansion, which welcomed five new franchises.
Furthermore, a direct relocation of the Connecticut Sun to Boston did not initially appear to be on the cards, even as the Mohegan Tribe actively sought a buyer for the franchise. A spokesperson for Boston Women’s Basketball Partners, a group formed in 2025 with the explicit goal of bringing a WNBA franchise to Boston, indicated in July that the Mohegan Tribe’s preference was for a buyer committed to keeping the Connecticut Sun in its existing home state.
However, Steve Pagliuca, operating independently of the Boston Women’s Basketball Partners group, ultimately presented an offer that not only surpassed expectations in its financial valuation but also shifted the conversation. While the WNBA had reportedly favored Boston receiving a new team via expansion, potentially by 2033, rather than through an existing team’s relocation, Pagliuca’s bold bid has undeniably presented a compelling alternative for the future of WNBA Boston.
The league has maintained a clear stance on franchise movements, emphasizing that “Relocation decisions are made by the WNBA Board of Governors and not by individual teams.” The WNBA also noted that during its most recent expansion process, nine other cities submitted applications and remain under active consideration, holding priority over Boston, which did not apply at that time. Bill Chisholm, another prospective Celtics owner, has also reportedly contacted the league office, advocating for Boston’s strong consideration for a WNBA franchise when the appropriate time arrives.
Prior to their recent challenges in 2025, the Connecticut Sun had established themselves as one of the most formidable and consistent franchises in the WNBA. The team boasted an impressive eight-year consecutive playoff appearance streak leading into the current season, reaching the WNBA Finals twice during that remarkable run. Throughout its history, the Connecticut Sun has made it to the WNBA Finals four times, yet a coveted championship title has remained elusive.
The franchise’s roots trace back to Orlando, where it was introduced as an expansion team in 1999. It wasn’t until the 2003 season that the Mohegan Tribe acquired the franchise from the Orlando Magic, subsequently orchestrating its relocation to Connecticut. This potential move to Boston would mark the second relocation in the team’s history, further cementing its dynamic journey within women’s professional basketball.
