OT: Connecticut Sun hired investment bank Allen & Company to explore the sale of the franchise

[Forego]

Its not just the issues that have already been mentioned. The players also complained that they had to either stay at the airport or in a hotel room the night before an away game because there is no airport close enough to get their for an early flight out. There are just too many issues for the players to deal with to make it worth their while if they have the option of leaving. I think the nail in the coffin was the five starters who left in free agency this off season

Complaining about having to stay in a hotel room before a travel day sounds like a pretty lame excuse. Wouldn’t a player normally have to stay in a hotel room regardless if they were in a large city or in Uncasville? The average cost of a hotel room and restaurant in a metropolitan area has to be greater than one in the Windsor Locks or Warwick areas. An important consideration for base salary players.

 

[Forego]

The word on the street is that there's just nothing to do when you're not on the court. It's not a major city with major city attractions for young single people or even young families. It's the casino or cows.

Cows? What’s wrong with cows? The university I went to has lots of cows and a great dairy bar.

 

[Dogdude]

Cows? What’s wrong with cows? The university I went to has lots of cows and a great dairy bar.

As an ice cream fanatic, I agree with your perception of cows. I'm saying the great majority of people who don't grow up around cows don't appreciate them, and that seems to be the case with many WNBA players. Perhaps some sort of cow appreciation education should be a part of the WNBA.

 

[Dabber]

The Sun announced they sold out their season tickets today. I believe that is a first in franchise history. Hope that sends the right message.

Unfortunately, that won't matter

 

[todbo]

The Sun announced they sold out their season tickets today. I believe that is a first in franchise history. Hope that sends the right message.

Perhaps the season tix are sold out, but the home opener had a huge number of empty seats.

 

[Vowelguy]

The Sun were, I believe, the first franchise to turn a profit.

It's probably more the case that interest in the W is high right now so it's a great time to sell. As the article notes, 4 years ago Atlanta sold for <$10M. Now that franchise is valued at more than $50M.

The Liberty just sold a slice of ownership at a rate implying the franchise is worth $450 million!

could be a very lucrative sale for the Mohegans

 

[Skeets]

I also would love to see the Sun move to Hartford, but someone would have to finance some serious upgrades (or a total replacement) to the XL Center for that to happen. I don't see that happening. Maybe the facilities in New Haven or Bridgeport are better, but they're still not competitive with other WNBA facilities.

They are making some changes to the XL which is why season ticket holders are being reseated for next season. Ha, we were told we could keep our seats if we kept renewing (yes, a sore point with me). The last time they "upgraded" the XL they absolutely ruined the facility.

Would you spend something like $80M and put the team in Hartford? You got to be kidding me. Bottom line: how many pro teams have been successful in Hartford? How many in New Haven or Bridgeport? CT has no viable locations.

 

[CTBballfan243]

If they move the team to Boston, the players will complain that they can’t afford to live in Boston.

 

[BRS24]

If they move the team to Boston, the players will complain that they can’t afford to live in Boston.

The WNBA provides either team housing, or a stipend. Article below available in reader view

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/annkillion/article/yes-wnba-helps-players-housing-policy-go-far-19474331.php

Section 1 of Article XI under player-related expenses: ​

​

“During the Regular Season and playoffs, players will be provided with the following options with respect to housing in the home cities of their WNBA Teams: (i) staying in housing provided by the Team, or (ii) receiving a monthly housing stipend as set forth below with respect to each Team.”​

​

The stipend is adjusted for each market, with built-in increases each year since the CBA was adopted in 2020 (the CBA runs through 2027, but the players union can opt out after 2025). For example, in a market fairly comparable to the Bay Area, the New York Liberty players are eligible to receive a monthly stipend of $2,583 this season and $2,647 next season. In contrast, Atlanta Dream players can receive only $1,263 this season and $1,294 in 2025. A league spokesman had no details on what “housing provided by the team,” might entail.​

 

[UConnJim]

If the Sun are sold, I don't think it's a done deal that they will move to Boston. Why? The TD Garden is a very busy arena and there would be scheduling conflicts when the Celtics and Bruins are in the playoffs in May and June. And there would be conflicts in October if the Sun made it into the playoffs. Plus, the TD Garden attracts a number of other high ticket price sold out concerts. Look at the Liberty. They play at Barclay's as it only hosts the Nets. MSG has the Knicks and the Rangers which would make scheduling hard. Finally, does the TD Garden want a WNBA franchise that would probably have a half full arena and sell tickets at low prices?

 

[hoopsdiva]

CT has no viable locations.

Yeah, that's what I said.

 

[CTBballfan243]

The WNBA provides either team housing, or a stipend. Article below available in reader view

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/annkillion/article/yes-wnba-helps-players-housing-policy-go-far-19474331.php

Section 1 of Article XI under player-related expenses: ​

​

“During the Regular Season and playoffs, players will be provided with the following options with respect to housing in the home cities of their WNBA Teams: (i) staying in housing provided by the Team, or (ii) receiving a monthly housing stipend as set forth below with respect to each Team.”​

​

The stipend is adjusted for each market, with built-in increases each year since the CBA was adopted in 2020 (the CBA runs through 2027, but the players union can opt out after 2025). For example, in a market fairly comparable to the Bay Area, the New York Liberty players are eligible to receive a monthly stipend of $2,583 this season and $2,647 next season. In contrast, Atlanta Dream players can receive only $1,263 this season and $1,294 in 2025. A league spokesman had no details on what “housing provided by the team,” might entail.​

Like I said, the players will complacent n that they can’t afford to live in Boston. I guess they will be ok as long as they don’t mind living in a dump. They might be able to find something decent for 3k a month.

 

[HuskyNan]

Like I said, the players will complacent n that they can’t afford to live in Boston. I guess they will be ok as long as they don’t mind living in a dump. They might be able to find something decent for 3k a month.

Have you even looked at prices in Boston? There are decent places for reasonable rates. The T also goes out into affordable suburbs so that getting downtown is a short train ride away.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I wish I cared about this but I don't. In recent times the WNBA has turned into an ugly soap opera with basketball secondary.

 

[CTBballfan243]

Have you even looked at prices in Boston? There are decent places for reasonable rates. The T also goes out into affordable suburbs so that getting downtown is a short train ride away.

Actually lived in Boston for 5 years. Both daughters live there now. So yes, I know what decent places rent for in decent areas of Boston.

 

[CTBballfan243]

I wish I cared about this but I don't. In recent times the WNBA has turned into an ugly soap opera with basketball secondary.

The WNBA is just taking a page from the WWE marketing book. The Angle Reece/ Clark stuff is all just staged for rating. The WNBA will take any press it can get.

 

[Horsebrnhil]

To say that I am surprised, would be a lie. Connecticut has never been a major sports league state. Yes, the Whalers were the best they could get, a few double AA teams, but nothing higher. The Whalers bolted after a number of years, because Hartford/The State, could/would not afford the improvements to the Civic Center. In early 2000s, Patriots owner Robert Kraft, deftly used John Rowland to get the state of Massachusetts to agree to their requests to help finance and build the new Patriots stadium in Foxboro, leaving Connecticut looking foolish. Even as we speak the City of Norwich is trying to unload Dodd Stadium, because it's a white elephant, and not bringing in the money that was hoped for. The old saying of, " where there's smoke, there's fire", is very telling. The Sun is just a sideline factor at The Mohegan. A group of people enjoy it, but it's not a huge money maker, and that is what the casino is for, making money for the tribe and it's investors. Even the large parcel of property across the river, on the grounds of the old state hospital, is languishing. Plans for a huge theme styled park, another hotel, more shops, are stalled as of now. Sadly, the Mohegan Sun ball club may be sold to bring in more money for other ventures, which will be more profitable. This is, in no way a political rant, but it's, as they say, ITS ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMIN'S. My advice to those of you who enjoy watching the Sun play ball, is enjoy it while you can.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

The WNBA is just taking a page from the WWE marketing book. The Angle Reece/ Clark stuff is all just staged for rating. The WNBA will take any press it can get.

I've heard weirder things, but I'm not up for what they are selling act or no. I think you are giving them to much credit. Why would they ban Chennedy Carter for blind siding Clark?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Actually lived in Boston for 5 years. Both daughters live there now. So yes, I know what decent places rent for in decent areas of Boston.

It may be that your info may be dated but people looking for housing in Boston itself may soon enjoy an end to the 10-15 increase in annual housing costs because the commercial real estate is cratering as occupancy rates tumble. While it lags the commercial usually what follows is the same phenomenon in residential rentals. But as of this writing a fast rise in housing costs continues and it is sorta puzzling.

 

[Vowelguy]

Like I said, the players will complacent n that they can’t afford to live in Boston. I guess they will be ok as long as they don’t mind living in a dump. They might be able to find something decent for 3k a month.

Young people by and large would rather live in a fun dumpy area than a cheap boring one.
Southeastern CT aint it if you’re young and single and a 6’5 woman stands out like a sore thumb.

 

[Huskie837]

Moving the team to either Hartford or Boston still means building a dedicated practice facility because that’s the shiny toy the players want….

 

[JoePgh]

I think that a possible solution would be for the new owner to arrange to play the WNBA games in May and June at either Hartford or Mohegan Sun (maybe have some games in each venue), and then play exclusively in Boston in July, August, and September. The team would have a "New England" name, rather than either Boston ot Connecticut.

That would take advantage of Connecticut's status as the (women's) "basketball capital of the world" and give some attention to the longtime supporters of the Connecticut Sun, while still playing most games in a major metropolitan area. It would also sidestep schedule conflicts with the Celtics and Bruins during their playoff months.

The practice facility (new or existing) could be in the western suburbs of Boston, which is within reasonable driving distance of all three game venues.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

That would take advantage of Connecticut's status as the "basketball capital of the world"

FIFY

 

[WiseWillie]

My guess is that they will relocate to Boston, but we will see.

Boston maybe. But then there's Philly. TBD.

 

[CTBballfan243]

I recently read ( or saw on tv news ???) that the Celtics are exploring getting their own arena in Boston. They want more control of the arena revenue. Who knows, probably just a negotiation ploy with the Delaware North who owns the Bruins and the TD Bank Garden.