A significant shift in the landscape of professional women’s basketball is on the horizon, as reports indicate the Connecticut Sun WNBA team could be relocating to Boston by 2027 following a groundbreaking purchase agreement. This potential move, spearheaded by Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca, signifies a pivotal moment for both the franchise and the WNBA, though it remains contingent on the league’s official approval.
The current ownership group, the Mohegan Sun tribe, has reportedly agreed to sell the Connecticut Sun to a consortium led by Steve Pagliuca. Pagliuca, a long-standing figure in Boston sports having been a minority owner of the Celtics since 2002, is now poised to bring a professional women’s basketball team to the city he has long invested in. His prior attempts to acquire full ownership of the Celtics did not materialize, making this WNBA acquisition a notable pivot in his sports ownership ambitions.
Financial details of the proposed acquisition are historic, with Pagliuca reportedly agreeing to pay a record $325 million for the team. In addition to the sale price, a further $100 million is earmarked for the development of a new practice facility within Boston, underscoring the substantial investment committed to this venture. For context, this valuation significantly surpasses previous professional women’s sports team sales, highlighting the growing economic prominence of the WNBA.
Crucially, the sale and subsequent relocation must receive approval from the WNBA’s Board of Governors and the league’s commissioner. According to sources, the league has expressed a preference for preserving Boston as a potential expansion city, possibly as late as 2033. This stance indicates a strategic long-term vision for the WNBA, potentially complicating a relocation approval in favor of a new franchise.
The WNBA is currently undergoing a period of significant expansion, with the Golden State Valkyries joining the league this year, followed by the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire next season. Furthermore, Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia are slated to welcome new teams over the next five years, indicating the league’s robust growth trajectory and its careful consideration of new markets.
Boston has previously demonstrated strong support for women’s basketball, notably with sold-out Connecticut Sun regular season games held at TD Garden against teams like the Los Angeles Sparks and Indiana Fever. Prominent figures such as Governor Maura Healey and Mayor Michelle Wu have also publicly advocated for bringing a WNBA team to Boston, aligning with Pagliuca’s long-held ambition to establish a women’s professional basketball presence in the city.
While the Connecticut Sun currently navigate a rebuilding season, their historical standing as one of the WNBA’s premier teams remains undeniable. The Mohegan Tribe has assured ticket-holders that the team will continue to play in Uncasville for the 2026 season, setting the stage for a potential Boston relocation by 2027, provided the WNBA grants its final approval to this transformative transaction.
