Photo: WNBA/Twitter

A consortium led by Steve Pagliuca – a minority owner of the Boston Celtics and seasoned investor – has reached an agreement to acquire the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun from the Mohegan Tribe for a record-breaking $325 million, according to a report by Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe.

As part of the group’s broader vision, there are early indications that the franchise could relocate to Boston as soon as the 2027 season. In addition to the purchase, the ownership group plans to commit $100 million toward building a state-of-the-art practice facility in Boston, signaling a long-term investment in the sport’s growth and infrastructure.

If approved, this would represent the highest sale price ever for a WNBA franchise – a milestone that underscores the league’s rapidly rising valuation and growing appeal among high-profile investors.

However, the deal is still pending formal approval by both the WNBA and the league’s Board of Governors. The WNBA released a statement addressing speculation around the potential relocation, noting that decisions of that nature are not solely in the hands of team owners.

“Relocation decisions are made by the WNBA Board of Governors and not by individual teams,” the league said in its official statement. It also referenced the most recent expansion effort, which culminated on June 30, 2025, with new franchises being awarded to Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia.

“During that process, nine additional cities applied for WNBA teams and remain under active consideration,” the statement continued. “No groups from Boston applied for a team at that time, and 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 league also acknowledged outreach from Celtics-connected executive Bill Chisholm, who is working alongside Pagliuca. “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 statement added.

As of now, the future of the Connecticut Sun – both in terms of ownership and location – hangs in the balance, awaiting formal league deliberation and approval.