Last year, the Connecticut Sun’s owners entertained ideas of a possible sale. And while the likes of Steve Pagliuca proposed a $325 million valuation from the team, the Mohegan Tribe was more than happy to accept it. Unfortunately, the WNBA came in next with their own clauses and tried to push back on the deal. This garnered a heavy backlash from the fans.
The situation became so critical that even the likes of US Senator Richard Blumenthal warned the league. Now that the franchise sale is finally complete, reactions are coming in thick and fast. Reacting to the same, Geno Auriemma did not look particularly thrilled about the same.
Why Is Geno Auriemma Unhappy With The Connecticut Sun’s Sale?
Recently, news came in about the Sun being sold to the Houston Rockets’ owners, the Fertitta family. While a WNBA team getting a $300 million valuation looks promising, this also means that Connecticut will no longer have a women’s basketball franchise.
As the only existing female basketball team in the state, the UConn Huskies’ head coach, Auriemma, feels that this has created a void.
“Well, yeah. I mean, I think the people at Mohegan Sun, I think they stepped up when they were needed. And brought a team to Connecticut, as Connecticut deserves to have a team. Because we’re a proven… where people will support women’s basketball. So then, now [with the Sun] moving, I think it leaves a void,” said Auriemma via a Storrs Central YouTube video.
Geno Auriemma’s full comments on the Connecticut Sun sale:
— Grant Young (@GrvntYoung) March 28, 2026
“I think it leaves a void.”
Interesting to hear him mention that Connecticut wasn’t a free agency destination
🎥: @StorrsCentral pic.twitter.com/oCsbKQmqMo
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Auriemma went on saying how the franchise had established itself as a strong representative of the state. They also had a strong connection with the passionate fans who came in large numbers to cheer for the team. Unfortunately, all of that will be gone now.
Meanwhile, Auriemma also pointed out how the NBA is once again taking over the WNBA realm. And he does not seem to like the trend at all.
Geno Auriemma Points Towards A Concerning NBA Trend
The Mohegan Tribe promised at least one more year of action for the Suns. Likewise, they have officially kicked off the 2026 WNBA ticket sales recently. Now that the franchise is relocating to Houston, the UConn Huskies head coach has spoken about NBA owners entering in large numbers to acquire WNBA teams.
“Right now, that’s kind of how it is. At one time, the NBA owners owned everything. Then it started to slip away. And now it’s coming back. Now, pretty much, the majority of the teams that are coming in are gonna be sort of, kind of, NBA-centric, you know?” said Auriemma.
He also explained that since the players want more money, there is no alternative but to opt for big investors coming in. And, quite expectedly, it is the NBA owners who have the big purse.
With things looking a bit complicated, we now have to see what happens next.