Relocating the Connecticut Sun to Boston seemed realistic but was never a done deal. Now, there appears to be more options for the WNBA’s New England franchise.
Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca confirmed his offer to buy the Sun and relocate them to Boston from Connecticut. Pagliuca would also pay an extra $100 million to move the team and put together new training facilities.
However, former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry has matched Pagliuca’s $325 million offer and is willing to keep the Sun in Connecticut, but move them from Uncasville to Hartford, according to CT Insider.
According to Front Office Sports, which spoke with multiple sources with direct knowledge of the sale, the total could surpass $325 million due to a possible relocation fee, which could “sway the sale” and “determine the team’s fate.”
While Lasry and Pagliuca both would keep the WNBA franchise in New England, Houston is the “league’s preferred landing spot,” according to FOS.
“If (Houston Rockets owner Tilman) Fertitta is willing to pay the sale price, plus a relocation fee to expedite the process of getting a team, the league would favor that deal,” FOS reported.
The WNBA recently announced plans to expand to Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia by 2030, and will add teams in Toronto and Portland next year. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has made it clear she wants to see a team in Houston, and noted the city is “up next when it comes to the timeline for evaluating bids.”
Houston was once home to the WNBA’s Comets from 1997 until 2008 when the team was disbanded. Connecticut has been home to the Sun since 2003, while Boston has never had a WNBA team.
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