A Connecticut politician is making bold claims, accusing the WNBA of trying to “steal” the beloved Connecticut Sun franchise! With record bids on the table, why are deals being blocked? The future of the team hangs in the balance.
The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has experienced an unprecedented surge in popularity and financial growth since 2024, attracting substantial investor interest and leading to planned expansion with new teams like the Golden State Valkyries. This economic boom, however, has also brought to light significant internal conflicts, particularly concerning franchise ownership and relocation within the league.
Amidst this fervent investment landscape, the Mohegan Tribe, owners of the Connecticut Sun, reportedly accepted a substantial offer, spearheaded by Boston Celtics minority owner Jeff Pagliuca, to potentially move the team to Boston. This high-value bid reflected the escalating worth of WNBA franchises, with some teams now valued over 30 times their original purchase price.
Simultaneously, a separate consortium emerged with a counter-proposal aimed at retaining the Sun in Connecticut, albeit relocating them from Uncasville to the state’s capital, Hartford. This alternative plan was publicly endorsed by Connecticut Comptroller Sean Scanlon, who identified it as the preferred outcome for the state and its dedicated fanbase.
Despite these robust offers, the bids allegedly faced an unexpected hurdle: they were purportedly never presented to the WNBA Board of Governors by Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and subsequently expired. Instead, reports indicated that the league itself offered the Mohegan Tribe $250 million to acquire the franchise, ostensibly to facilitate a move to one of its strategically preferred markets.
This sequence of events ignited a fiery public outcry from Connecticut Comptroller Sean Scanlon, who took to social media to accuse the WNBA and “powerful corporate outside interests” of attempting to “steal” the Connecticut Sun from the Mohegan Tribe and its loyal supporters. His TikTok video highlighted deep frustration with the league’s handling of the bids.
Scanlon’s passionate statements further escalated, asserting that the WNBA and the NBA, which oversees the women’s league, were actively working against the will of the team’s owners and its fanbase. He issued a stern plea, urging both organizations to approve the deal that would ensure the Connecticut Sun remains a fixture within the state, specifically in Hartford.
The controversy surrounding the Connecticut Sun underscores the inherent challenges faced by the few independently owned franchises within the economically burgeoning WNBA. As the league continues its rapid expansion and commands higher valuations, these ownership disputes reveal the complex dynamics at play as financial interests and community ties intersect. The resolution of this particular situation remains pending, with no agreement yet reached between the team and the league.
