Boston’s professional sports landscape is on the verge of a significant transformation, with reports indicating that a key figure within the Celtics organization is orchestrating a move to bring a WNBA franchise to the city. This ambitious plan involves the potential acquisition and relocation of the Connecticut Sun, a development that could reshape the future of women’s basketball in New England.
Steve Pagliuca, a prominent minority owner of the Boston Celtics, is at the forefront of this groundbreaking initiative. His ownership group has reportedly reached a comprehensive agreement with the Mohegan Tribe, current proprietors of the Connecticut Sun, to facilitate the team’s purchase. This move underscores a broader vision to establish a robust WNBA presence directly within Boston.
The proposed relocation would see the Connecticut Sun making Boston’s iconic TD Garden their new home arena. While the Sun currently play their games at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, they have historically utilized TD Garden for select, higher-capacity games, demonstrating the arena’s suitability and the existing logistical framework for such a transition.
However, this significant transaction is not without its complexities and potential obstacles. Any sale and relocation must first secure official approval from the WNBA and its governing body. Industry sources suggest that the league might prefer to reserve Boston as a prime candidate for a WNBA expansion team in the future, possibly around 2033, rather than facilitating a relocation.
Despite the league’s potential reservations, the Mohegan Tribe has clearly expressed its preference. A WNBA source indicates that while the tribe would cooperate if the league mandates a sale to a Connecticut-based buyer to keep the team in the state, their strong inclination is to proceed with the sale to Pagliuca’s Boston-based group. This highlights the delicate negotiations unfolding behind the scenes.
Pagliuca’s involvement is particularly notable given his deep roots in Boston’s sports scene. As a minority governor of the Celtics, he has a long-standing history with professional basketball in the city. He was also a significant bidder in the past for a controlling stake in the Celtics, demonstrating his enduring commitment to sports ownership and development in the region.
Should the deal materialize, it would mark a pivotal moment for Boston sports fans, offering them a new professional team to rally behind. For the WNBA, securing a presence in a major market like Boston could significantly boost its visibility and fan engagement, further solidifying its national footprint and expanding its dedicated fanbase.
