Sun president says sale not done, team to play in Connecticut in '26 - ESPN

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Connecticut Sun president Jennifer Rizzotti confirmed Sunday that the team plans to play at Mohegan Sun Arena in 2026 after a deal was reached Saturday for a Boston-based investor group to buy the franchise and relocate it there for the 2027 season.

Rizzotti reiterated the sale by the Mohegan Tribe is «not quite at the finish line yet.» The sale and potential relocation to Boston are subject to approval by the WNBA Board of Governors.

In the meantime, the Sun have opened their season ticket renewal process for next season, which will run through Aug. 22.

«We've gotten a lot of positive feelings from our fans based on the news that we'll be here next year,» Rizzotti said. «I know there's still uncertainty about the future but our loyal fans, they're excited to be able to watch this team grow and get into Year Two of this retooling of the roster and see where we can go. And if it ends up being our last year here, we're going to make sure we blow it out.»

A group led by Steve Pagliuca, a minority owner of the NBA's Boston Celtics, agreed Saturday to buy the Sun for $325 million and contribute $100 million for a practice facility, ESPN confirmed Saturday. The sales price would be a record for women's sports franchise.

Rizzotti and the Mohegan Tribe are restricted in what they can say due to a non-disclosure agreement, but the Sun president indicated any proposal would have to be put in front of the league, and then the league would have to present it to the Board of Governors.

The Mohegan Tribe initially purchased the franchise in 2003, when it was the Orlando Miracle, and relocated it to Uncasville, making them the first non-NBA owners of a WNBA team.

Rizzotti said the Mohegan Tribe is responsible for