Boston Celtics minority proprietor Steve Pagliuca will purchase the Connecticut Solar for $325m and transfer the group to Boston. [Image: Flickr.com / John McClellan]
Heading to Beantown
The Mohegan Tribe is nearing a deal to promote the WNBA’s Connecticut Solar to Boston Celtics minority proprietor Steve Pagliuca for $325m, who would transfer the group to Boston. Over the weekend, ESPN reported that the franchise wouldn’t relocate till the 2027 season.
Connecticut Solar President Jennifer Rizzotti did verify that the deal is in progress, however that it has not been accomplished.
if it finally ends up being our final yr right here, we’re going to ensure we blow it out”
“I do know there’s nonetheless uncertainty in regards to the future, however our loyal followers, they’re excited to have the ability to watch this group develop and get into 12 months Two of this retooling of the roster and see the place we will go. And if it finally ends up being our final yr right here, we’re going to ensure we blow it out,” Rizzotti mentioned.
Each Rizzotti and Pagliuca acknowledged that nothing will occur if the WNBA Board of Governors doesn’t approve the sale, although there was no indication that it gained’t. The $325m price ticket can be a report for a ladies’s sports activities group.
Pagliuca has additionally dedicated $100m for a brand new follow facility.
WNBA is hovering
The doable sale and relocation of the Solar comes amid an enormous recognition increase for the WNBA, which in flip has led to league enlargement.
The WNBA lately introduced the collection of a whopping 5 enlargement cities beginning subsequent yr. Portland’s and Toronto’s groups will start play subsequent yr, Cleveland will begin in 2027, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030. Three of these cities already had WNBA franchises beforehand: the Cleveland Rockers was one of many league’s unique franchises in 1996, the Detroit Shock joined the league in 1998, and the Portland Hearth was born in 2000.
The Rockers folded after the 2003 season, Detroit moved to Tulsa in 2010 (after which to Dallas in 2016, after they had been renamed the Wings), and the Hearth closed up store after simply three seasons.
Of the 9 different cities that bid for franchises, Houston was informed that it will ultimately get one. The Houston Comets had been one of many WNBA’s unique eight franchises and gained the league’s first 4 championships. The group disbanded after the 2008 season.
Every of the enlargement franchises paid a $250m payment to hitch the league.
Lengthy historical past within the league
The Connecticut Solar was one of many WNBA’s first 4 enlargement groups, initially based because the Orlando Miracle in 1999. The Mohegan Tribe bought the franchise in 2003 for $10m and moved it to Uncasville, Connecticut, renaming it the Solar after the tribe’s Mohegan Solar on line casino.
The Solar performs at Mohegan Solar Area on the on line casino property. On this new increase period for the WNBA, that the group performs in one of many smallest arenas within the league’s smallest media market was turning into an issue.
The Solar was the primary WNBA franchise not owned by the NBA. The Mohegan Tribe was additionally the primary Native American tribe to personal a significant skilled sports activities group.
Although the Solar has by no means gained a WNBA championship, it has been probably the most profitable regular-season groups within the league, making the playoffs in 16 of its 22 seasons in Connecticut. It’s at present in a big rebuilding section, at present sitting at simply 5-22 after dropping all 5 starters from final yr’s group.
