The potential sale of the Mohegan Tribe-owned WNBA franchise, the Connecticut Sun, has sparked a heated debate. Initially, after the Sun’s ownership alleges the WNBA for blocking the sale, it has now attracted the attention of a U.S. Senator.
Recently, in a series of posts on X(formerly Twitter), Senator Chris Murphy accused the WNBA of trying to force the tribe to accept a “low-ball offer” from a buyer he described as “Trump-backed.” He argues that this deal, which could move the team out of the Northeast, is unfair and that a better option exists to keep the Sun in Connecticut.
U.S. Senator Criticises Connecticut Sun Sale
According to Murphy, a Boston-based group, led by former Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca, offered $325 million to buy the Sun, with plans to relocate the team to Boston. While this initially seemed like a done deal, the Mohegan Tribe prefers to keep the franchise in Connecticut. Amid all this, it has also intensified the WNBA’s player pay debate.
Enter a Hartford-based group, which has matched the $325 million offer with a proposal to move the team to the state’s capital. Murphy sees this as a win-win, noting that bringing the Sun to Hartford would be an economic boost for the city.
So here's what's going on with the @ConnecticutSun . The corporate arm of the @WNBA wants to force the Mohegan Tribe (who owns the team) to accept a low-ball offer from a Trump-backed billionaire. It's wrong and there's a better option.
— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) September 5, 2025
A short 🧵 on the path forward.
Additionally, it would also be a nod to Connecticut’s passionate women’s basketball fanbase, which he calls the best in the country, citing the state’s championship pedigree. However, Murphy’s frustration stems from the WNBA’s apparent push for the tribe to accept a lower offer of $250 million from the league itself. It would allow the WNBA to relocate the team to a market of its choosing, such as Houston.
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He claims the Trump-backed buyer’s bid is not only less competitive than Hartford’s but also an attempt to “steal” the team at a bargain price by leveraging influence within the league. This, he argues, is unfair to the tribe, which has owned the Sun for over two decades and wants to see it stay in Connecticut.
Senator Murphy Vocal About Bringing Connecticut Sun To Hartford
The Hartford proposal, backed by the Lamont administration, includes an option to buy a minority stake in the team. Doing so, it would have a strong local support to keep the Sun in the state.
Murphy emphasized that Connecticut’s basketball culture and economic potential make Hartford the right choice. He urged the WNBA to approve this deal, keeping the Sun in what he called the “Basketball Capital of the World.”
“Bringing @ConnecticutSun to Hartford wouldn’t just be an economic win for our capital city, but also for fans across the state who have embraced this team for decades. CT is probably the top women’s basketball market in the U.S. – we have the championships to prove it,” he tweeted.
4/ Bringing @ConnecticutSun to Hartford wouldn’t just be an economic win for our capital city, but also for fans across the state who have embraced this team for decades.
— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) September 5, 2025
CT is probably the top women’s basketball market in the U.S. – we have the championships to prove it.
However, the situation remains unresolved, with the WNBA Board of Governors holding the final say on any sale or relocation. The league’s resistance to the Hartford bid and its preference for other markets have left the tribe feeling cornered, according to reports.