The landscape of professional women’s basketball in the United States may soon witness a significant shift, as reports indicate a potential relocation of the Connecticut Sun WNBA franchise to Boston. This high-profile move, spearheaded by Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca, could see the WNBA expand its footprint in a major New England market by 2027, pending crucial league approvals.
At the core of this monumental development is Pagliuca’s agreement with the Mohegan Tribe, the current owners of the Connecticut Sun, for a staggering $325 million. This unprecedented sum marks the highest acquisition price for a women’s sports franchise in U.S. history, underscoring the escalating value and burgeoning interest in women’s professional leagues like the WNBA.
Pagliuca’s vision for the prospective Boston WNBA team extends beyond mere ownership. He has committed an additional $100 million towards the construction of a state-of-the-art practice facility within Boston. Furthermore, the team would make its new home at the iconic TD Garden, a venue where the Connecticut Sun previously played two sold-out games, demonstrating significant local demand for WNBA action in the city.
The proposed relocation has garnered strong local support, notably from Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, who has long advocated for a WNBA team in Boston. Governor Healey emphasized Boston’s status as the “hub of New England” and the birthplace of basketball, suggesting the move would be mutually beneficial for both the city and the WNBA, representing the entire region.
Despite the optimistic outlook, the transition faces several regulatory hurdles. The WNBA Board of Governors must first sanction the sale and relocation. A primary concern for the league is maintaining the franchise’s presence in Connecticut, with reports indicating the Mohegan Tribe’s willingness to cooperate if the league mandates a sale to an in-state buyer rather than approving the Boston move outright.
The WNBA’s official stance highlights that relocation decisions rest solely with the Board of Governors. The league recently awarded new franchises to Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia, and noted that nine other cities remain under active consideration for expansion. Critically, Boston was not among the cities that applied for a team during this recent expansion phase, giving other applicant cities current priority over the Celtics’ prospective owner Bill Chisholm’s recent inquiries.
Should the sale and relocation successfully navigate these early stages and receive league endorsement, Boston would join a growing wave of new WNBA markets. The league has previously announced an ambitious five-year growth plan, signaling a period of significant expansion and strategic market development across the United States for women’s basketball.
This potential shift of the Connecticut Sun to Boston represents a pivotal moment for professional women’s sports, reflecting both the increasing investment interest and the undeniable market demand for the WNBA. The outcome will not only reshape the future of the Sun franchise but also potentially solidify Boston’s standing as a premier city for women’s professional basketball, further elevating the sport’s national profile.
