Celtics co-owner bids $325M for WNBA Connecticut Sun, eyes 2027 move to Boston

Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca is leading a $325 million bid to acquire the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun in a deal that could see the team relocated to Boston by 2027, pending league approval.

If finalized, the transaction would mark the highest-ever valuation for a professional women’s sports franchise, surpassing recent records in a rapidly expanding WNBA market.

The proposal includes a $100 million commitment to build a dedicated practice facility in Boston and relocate the team to a larger-capacity venue in New England. The Sun, currently owned by the Mohegan Tribe, would continue to play at Mohegan Sun Arena through at least the 2026 season.

“Central to our proposal is enabling the Sun to play in larger capacity arenas in New England,” Pagliuca said. “Our offer is subject to obtaining the required league approvals... We will respect, cooperate with and abide by all league rules and decisions.”

The sale was first reported by The Boston Globe. The WNBA confirmed that relocation decisions fall under the jurisdiction of the Board of Governors and not individual teams.

The Mohegan Tribe purchased the franchise in 2003 for $10 million, relocating it from Orlando, where it operated as the Orlando Miracle, and becoming the first non-NBA entity to run a WNBA team. The Sun also became the first WNBA franchise to turn a profit.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey welcomed the move, stating: “I’ve been pushing for years for Boston to get a WNBA team... We are the hub of New England and the place where basketball was invented.”

The potential Boston relocation comes despite the city being absent from the WNBA’s most recent round of expansion announcements. New franchises in Portland, Toronto, Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia are scheduled to join by 2030. A WNBA statement noted that "no groups from Boston applied for a team at that time,” adding that other cities remain prioritized based on earlier efforts.

While the Sun remain one of the league’s historically successful teams, they have struggled this season and currently sit at the bottom of the standings (5–21). The franchise also lacks a dedicated training facility, with players practicing at either the casino arena or a local community center.

The team recently informed season ticket holders it would remain in Connecticut for the 2026 season.

The last WNBA franchise sale occurred in 2021 when a group led by real estate investor Larry Gottesdiener acquired the Atlanta Dream for under $10 million. Rising franchise valuations and increased infrastructure investments underscore the league’s recent momentum.