The WNBA expansion was the talk of the town, with everyone excited about the new teams and the league’s progress. But one franchise was looking to move away from the league’s glitz, and that’s the Connecticut Sun. The Sun owners had an offer on the table, which they accepted and submitted to the league for authorization. Cathy Engelbert’s confirmation would have sealed the deal in one go
But things were not as smooth as many expected. The league not only blocked the transfer, but its stand now raises many questions regarding the real intentions. The WNBA Commissioner was at the center of all the drama.
Cathy Engelbert Facing Heat Over Connecticut Sun Sale
League’s expansion is clearly a phase to celebrate as the WNBA will have 18 teams by 2030. Adding former cities like Cleveland and Detroit was a bold step, while expanding in San Francisco, Portland, and Toronto was a clever move by the league. Amid this, the Connecticut Sun wanted to part ways with the league.
The franchise owners faced losses over two decades, and even if there is a bright future in the league, the Mohegan Tribe wished for a one-time payment by selling the franchise. Boston, the closest big basketball city, came for help, and the Celtics’ minority owner, Steve Pagliuca, put forward a bid acceptable to the Sun owners.
However, the WNBA is not happy with the relocation, especially to Boston. As per ESPN’s report, the city’s failure to bid for the expansion team was held against them and is the main reason for the WNBA’s reluctance to give the green signal to the franchise sale. On top of that, Cathy Engelbert’s offer to buy back the franchise is a slap in the face.
New details on a potential CT Sun sale, including: The league has offered to purchase the team for $250 million & not charge a relocation fee, allowing it to facilitate a sale to one of its preferred expansion cities. Story w/ @alexaphilippou https://t.co/0XseNUlctG
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) August 19, 2025
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As league authorities, the critical task was to keep its stakeholders, including the franchise owners, happy by finding solutions to their problems. But blocking the transfer, with the reason that many wouldn’t support, makes the WNBA look too small. The Sun franchise owners, the Mohegan Tribe, came up with multiple options, which might fast-track the sale. But the league is yet to act upon it.
What surprises many is the league’s plans moving forward with its expansion.
Cathy Engelbert Has Her Heart Set On Houston
After declaring the three new franchises till 2030, the league commissioner went on to predict future cities as possible avenues. During her speech, she mentioned Houston as a confirmed addition to the league. Putting money on the town that had a hard time selling tickets during its prime puts the league decision makers under scrutiny.
The WNBA’s most successful franchise – the Houston Comets- won four titles in its twelve-season existence. With multiple Hall of Fame members on the team, the franchise expected a massive fan following. Still, there was no response from the fans, forcing the franchise to fold in December 2008 due to financial issues under new owner Hilton Koch.
However, the WNBA needs to act fast on its expansion strategies, else ‘the house of cards’ could be blown away easily with unrest within the league.