OT: - Connecticut Sun hired investment bank Allen & Company to explore the sale of the franchise | Page 2 | The Boneyard

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

It isn't complicated: The players did not want to be there. That is a major problem when trying to build a team.

That and the league has been a money loser.
 
ec33 said:
That and the league has been a money loser.
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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.
 
BRS24 said:
www.sportico.com

WNBA’s Connecticut Sun Hire Allen & Company to Explore Sale

The Sun could raise capital through an LP stake sale, but the expectation is a control sale and likely franchise relocation.
www.sportico.com www.sportico.com
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I said that this was going to take place months ago. All the stats were aligning that way. They paid 10 million and can sell to at least eight owners right now for 200 million. That’s a good profit margin.
 
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ec33 said:
It isn't complicated: The players did not want to be there. That is a major problem when trying to build a team.
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They went to the semifinals each of the last seven years, to the finals twice. Jonquel Jones was MVP in 2021. There were plenty of good players who wanted to be there before the fire sale.
 
Bigboote said:
They went to the semifinals each of the last seven years, to the finals twice. Jonquel Jones was MVP in 2021. There were plenty of good players who wanted to be there before the fire sale.
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JJ was traded to the Sun as a rookie (on draft night IIRC), and left as soon as her contract allowed. Same for Brionna Jones.
 
Dogdude said:
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.
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Yes I know.
 
Dogdude said:
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.
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Judging from the traffic, there are plenty of people heading up that way every weekend to go to the beaches.

Good fishing, too.

Plus, a casino.
 
Bigboote said:
They went to the semifinals each of the last seven years, to the finals twice. Jonquel Jones was MVP in 2021. There were plenty of good players who wanted to be there before the fire sale.
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Not on second contracts.
 
ec33 said:
It isn't complicated: The players did not want to be there. That is a major problem when trying to build a team.

That and the league has been a money loser.
Expand ...
Remember it was then Sun player Tina Charles who was the first to play that card once upon a time....
 
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nickp91 said:
The most logical move would be to Boston That would allow much of their current fan base to stay with the team Perhaps the new name could include "New England"
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Has to move to Boston. The sun was nice, but the casino business caught up with them. It has gotten too rich for them. These franchises are now popping. It seems like $80M is the valuation. If that’s the case, they should sell.

They obviously don’t want to put facilities back into it and the lack of an urban area is tough for the players. They play good hoops, but the Sun likely doesn’t want to spend what they need to.
 
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.
 
I have followed the Connecticut Sun since they relocated here from Orlando. At that time I was happy to see a professional team here as the Huskies were kicking everyone's butts. If I remember correctly there were a couple of groups looking to purchase the team, which had Nykesha Sales on it. So the former Huskie star would be coming home. I wasn't overly thrilled that the Mohegan Tribe won the battle and the team would be playing in their arena. The ride is 60 minutes for me in Waterbury.

Yesterday, I attended the Sun vs. Mystics game. It was great to see UConn Alumni playing or being at the event. Tina Charkes, Bria Hartley and Olivia Nelson-Ododa had outstanding game for CT. Washington played Stef Dolson while Aaliyah Edwards is recovering from injury. Morgan Tuck was walking around. I said hello to her. I didn't see Jenn Rizzotti but she was in the building somewhere.

Going to the game I looked forward to seeing Sonia Citron and Kiki Irafin play. Don't shoot me here but I think that one of them will be the Rookie of the Year. Sadly, our rookies didn't get into the game.

Back to topic. How do we keep the Sun in State and not loose another professional team? The Connecticut Insider had written an awesome article about this and should be read. If the Tribe doesn't sell the team then it's time that they moved to Hartford. The name on their jersey says Connecticut. The city offers way more than Uncasville can or the surrounding area. Airport is closer, more places to eat or do your regular daily needs.

Would an investor be willing to purchase the team and relocate to Hartford? That is a very good question. I would hope so. Many of the other WNBA teams are building new practice facilities. With all of the surrounding towns I'm sure that there is space to build one as well. It would be a sad if the team was sold and moved out of state. I have followed this team from the start and have supported them. I for one do not want to see them go. I would love it if they did move to Hartford though.

Yes, the New England Blizzard failed if you want to bring that up. They wound up relocating to Springfield. Hey Kara and Jenn were on that team. I went to those games as well with my kids. It never hurts to try again.
 
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ConnMotors said:
I have followed the Connecticut Sun since they relocated here from Orlando. At that time I was happy to see a professional team here as the Huskies were kicking everyone's butts. If I remember correctly there were a couple of groups looking to purchase the team, which had Nykesha Sales on it. So the former Huskie star would be coming home. I wasn't overly thrilled that the Mohegan Tribe won the battle and the team would be playing in their arena. The ride is 60 minutes for me in Waterbury.

Yesterday, I attended the Sun vs. Mystics game. It was great to see UConn Alumni playing or being at the event. Tina Charkes, Bria Hartley and Olivia Nelson-Ododa had outstanding game for CT. Washington played Stef Dolson while Aaliyah Edwards is recovering from injury. Morgan Tuck was walking around. I said hello to her. I didn't see Jenn Rizzotti but she was in the building somewhere.

Going to the game I looked forward to seeing Sonia Citron and Kiki Irafin play. Don't shoot me here but I think that one of them will be the Rookie of the Year. Sadly, our rookies didn't get into the game.

Back to topic. How do we keep the Sun in State and not loose another professional team? The Connecticut Insider had written an awesome article about this and should be read. If the Tribe doesn't sell the team then it's time that they moved to Hartford. The name on their jersey says Connecticut. The city offers way more than Uncasville can or the surrounding area. Airport is closer, more places to eat or do your regular daily needs.

Would an investor be willing to purchase the team and relocate to Hartford? That is a very good question. I would hope so. Many of the other WNBA teams are building new practice facilities. With all of the surrounding towns I'm sure that there is space to build one as well. It would be a sad if the team was sold and moved out of state. I have followed this team from the start and have supported them. I for one do not want to see them go. I would love it if they did move to Hartford though.

Yes, the New England Blizzard failed if you want to bring that up. They wound up relocating to Springfield. Hey Kara and Jenn were on that team. I went to those games as well with my kids. It never hurts to try again.
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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.
 
hoopsdiva said:
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.
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The XL Center has been upgraded. But, I have not been there since they were completed. Or, if they are finished. I thought they were supposed to be by basketball season.
 
willtalk said:
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
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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.
 
Dogdude said:
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.
Expand ...
Cows? What’s wrong with cows? The university I went to has lots of cows and a great dairy bar.
 
Forego said:
Cows? What’s wrong with cows? The university I went to has lots of cows and a great dairy bar.
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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.
 
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whiffnutmeg said:
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.

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

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
 
hoopsdiva said:
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.
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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.
 
If they move the team to Boston, the players will complain that they can’t afford to live in Boston.
 
CTBballfan243 said:
If they move the team to Boston, the players will complain that they can’t afford to live in Boston.
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The WNBA provides either team housing, or a stipend. Article below available in reader view


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.​
 
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?
 
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