Boston may soon rejoin the ranks of WNBA host cities. And it might happen without an expansion. A group led by Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca is reportedly nearing a $325 million agreement to acquire the Connecticut Sun. The purchase, which includes an additional $100 million earmarked for a new practice facility, would be the most expensive franchise transaction in league history. Though not yet approved, the deal has stirred immediate speculation within the league circles.
The bid comes at a crucial juncture for Connecticut. The Sun, once a perennial postseason presence, has unraveled both on and off the court. The 2024 season opened with a complete roster overhaul. It also witnessed the departure of Head Coach Stephanie White to Indiana, along with her lead assistants. Under a new head coach and first-time general manager, the team sits at 5–21 this season. The worst record in the league. The .192 winning percentage marks a franchise low. Thus, with the rumors coming in, the Connecticut Sun is staring down a major shift.
Steve Pagliuca Relocating The Connecticut Sun?
A recent anonymous player survey by The Athletic ranked the Sun as the second-worst-run organization in the WNBA. Pagliuca wants to move the team to Boston by 2027. His group has contacted the league office to advocate for the city’s consideration, despite Boston not being among the nine cities that applied during the most recent expansion round.
The WNBA’s Board of Governors, not individual owners, controls relocation decisions. And the league has stated that existing applicants retain priority. Still, the financial commitment $425 million in total. And NBA ties place Pagliuca’s group in a favorable position. Adding to his advantage, a couple of Sun games held at TD Garden in recent seasons had sold-out crowds.
A group led by Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca has made a deal to buy the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun and move the team to Boston as soon as 2027. https://t.co/mFtQ9RUujH pic.twitter.com/gYbHnXURNx
— Boston Globe Sports (@BGlobeSports) August 2, 2025
For the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, the pending sale would come as financial relief. The MTGA currently holds $3.1 billion in debt, with $470 million maturing in fiscal 2025. The Sun had been on the market since at least March, when The Athletic reported that partial or full-sale options were being considered. No Connecticut-based plans existed for a new facility. And team practices often overlapped with unrelated community events. For a league increasingly emphasizing investment and professionalism, such conditions have become untenable.
The proposed move would also continue a trend in WNBA ownership. Each of the five new or upcoming expansion teams, like Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia, and the Golden State Valkyries, has a direct NBA affiliation. Pagliuca, a former co-chairman of Bain Capital and owner of Italian club Atalanta, previously lost a $6.1 billion bid to become majority owner of the Celtics. A WNBA franchise in Boston may now offer a different route to center stage. Meanwhile, trying to power through the season, a WNBA analyst proposed a trade for Alysha Clark to the Sun.
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Possible Alysha Clark Trade To Rejuvenate Connecticut Sun?
As per ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, the Sun could acquire the services of the Seattle Storm veteran, Alysha Clark. According to the proposal, Clark could join the Sun in return for Marina Mabrey. This would free up cap space for the Storm, who are currently strapped at just $223. On the contrary, Clark could well shake things up for the Sun’s roster.
The 38-year-old has been a WNBA champion thrice. Her defensive abilities, coupled with experience, might just be what the doctor ordered for the Sun. Thus, going through tumultuous times, fans cannot wait to see how things pan out in the future.
Also Read: Connecticut Sun’s Investment Push Keeps Boston In The Race For A WNBA Franchise