Connecticut Sun exploring potential sale of franchise, citing 'best interest' of team
The owner of the CT Sun, the state's only top-level professional sports team, recently hired investment bank Allen & Company to explore a potential sale, which could ultimately lead to relocation.
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The sun could be setting earlier than expected in Connecticut, and it has nothing to do with the weather.
The owner of the CT Sun, the state's only top-level professional sports team, recently hired investment bank Allen & Company to explore a potential sale, which could ultimately lead to relocation.
"This is an ownership group that has owned a successful WNBA franchise for two decades," CT Sun team president Jennifer Rizzotti says. " The recent news is just about continuing to explore those strategic options, and make sure they're doing what they think is in the best interest, not only of the team, but also the WNBA."
The league's popularity has skyrocketed over the past 18 months.
During the 2024 season, the WNBA says it had its highest total attendance in more than 20 years.
If the team were to leave Uncasville, state lawmakers say the newly-renovated XL Center in Hartford would be a perfect fit.
"The governor talked a couple years ago about hockey, for example," CT House Speaker Matt Ritter says. "Just renovating the XL center alone, there's an arena that's going to look really good, and is going to be a revenue producer."
Gov. Lamont says he's planning to talk to Mohegan Sun about keeping the Sun in Connecticut.
"They mean a lot to the state," Gov. Lamont says. "We want them here."
The Sun sold-out a home game in Boston's TD Bank Garden Arena last year, and the team will play there again this season.
Could a move to Beantown be in its future? Only time will tell.
"I don't know if you can ever outgrow women's basketball in the state of Connecticut," Rizzotti says. "I think it'll always have a place here no matter what happens."
The franchise was valued at $80 million in 2024.
