UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Tina Charles discovered out about the pending sale of the Connecticut Sun on social media Saturday afternoon, like the relaxation of the world.
The Boston Globe reported a deal had been reached for Celtics minority proprietor Steve Pagliuca to purchase the Sun from the Mohegan Tribe for a report $325 million with plans to transfer the franchise to Boston and construct a $100 million apply facility.
Pagliuca launched a assertion Sunday night on X, saying that “no transaction has been agreed yet.”
The assertion added that Pagliuca’s intent in providing to purchase the Sun is to “invest in the team, grow it’s devoted fan base” in the New England space and construct a championship roster.
Charles initially felt considerably conflicted about the Sun, who have performed in Connecticut since 2003, doubtlessly being relocated, but she ultimately came to phrases that it may be for the greatest.
“All good things usually come to an end, and you move on,” Charles, drafted No. 1 general by the Sun in 2010, said before an 87-78 loss to the Liberty on Sunday. “This team came from Orlando. That community felt it at the time, and they brought great memories here. So, God willing, [you] can do the same thing going to Boston.”
Tina Charles #31 of the Connecticut Sun handles the ball during the sport as Jonquel Jones #35 of the New York Liberty defends on August 3, 2025 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. NBAE via Getty Images
Sun president Jennifer Rizzotti confirmed the team intends to play at Mohegan Sun Arena next season. She also reiterated several instances all through a 25-minute news convention that the tentative sale by the Mohegan Tribe was “not quite at the finish line,” though she couldn’t confirm precise particulars due to a nondisclosure settlement.
The sale and potential relocation to Boston are topic to approval by the WNBA board of governors.
The WNBA launched a assertion Saturday that said Boston was not one of the 12 cities that utilized for a team as half of the league’s most current enlargement course of.
A basic view of the area during a WNBA sport between the New York Liberty and the Connecticut Sun on August 3, 2025, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
“Those other cities remain under consideration based on the extensive work they did as part of the expansion process and currently have priority over Boston,” the WNBA assertion said. “Celtics prospective owner Bill Chisholm has also reached out to the league office and asked that Boston receive strong consideration for a WNBA franchise at the appropriate time.”
The Mohegan Tribe had been weighing choices either to promote the team or add more buyers over the previous several months as calls for for higher venues and player lodging had elevated.
“[The Mohegan Tribe has] been thoughtful at where they are and what the league might look like in five years and the size of our arena and the fact that we don’t have a practice facility and really have tried to do what’s best, not just for this team but for the league as a whole,” Rizzotti said.
A basic view of the area during a WNBA sport between the New York Liberty and the Connecticut Sun on August 3, 2025, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
“They invested in this team in so many different ways before it was popular,” she continued. “They did provide an arena and facilities that were above what other teams were doing for it. Have they gotten passed by? They know that, right, in some ways. But we’ve never suffered in loyalty and commitment and a great fan base.”
While Rizzotti believes veteran gamers, such as Charles, may admire the Connecticut market and what it’s provided, she also acknowledged that younger and incoming gamers might want a larger market to construct their private manufacturers and acquire entry to more expansive alternatives.
The Boston Globe reported the WNBA may drive the Mohegan Tribe to promote to a purchaser who intends to preserve the team in Connecticut and that the league would rather give Boston an enlargement team in 2033.
Asked about that, Rizzotti said, “I can’t imagine that if there is an investment group at the right level in a great city, why anybody would not consider that to be a viable option.”
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