• Loading stock data...
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

Potential Connecticut Sun Sale Has Players in Wait-and-See Mode

After reports that ownership has hired a bank to seek a buyer, team president Jen Rizzotti said Tuesday that all options are on table.

Tina Charles
Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Monday, news broke that the Connecticut Sun had hired investment bank Allen & Company to pursue a potential sale of the franchise

By Tuesday afternoon, team president Jen Rizzotti was deployed to meet with players and then the media.

“What is going on?” former MVP Tina Charles said was the immediate question on players’ minds. “But in the WNBA you have seen this. You have seen these types of headlines. You just trust your ownership is going to put the organization in the best position possible.” 

Charles added that the players’ job is to focus on the product on the court, while they allow ownership to successfully execute a potential sale. 

Ownership hasn’t spoken directly to players, according to Charles, instead using Rizzotti as a liaison. For her part, Rizzotti said she hasn’t been privy to all discussions regarding the team’s potential sale. Her explanation to players on Tuesday was that the team is exploring all options, including a potential minority ownership sale to reinvest into the franchise.

Potential majority ownership sale scenarios include groups that have bid for a WNBA expansion franchise, who would then relocate the team. The Philadelphia 76ers ownership group—Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment—offers up one of the more intriguing options. Rizzotti said there is no timetable for a potential sale. 

“As far as what the future holds, I’m kind of in some ways along for the ride,” Rizzotti said. “Making sure I’m providing the best scenario that I can right now here in 2025 for these players and thinking about what [Sun coach] Rachid [Meziane] said: ‘Control what I can control.’”

The Sun became the first WNBA franchise with no NBA ownership affiliation in 2003 when the Mohegan Sun—owned by the Mohegan Tribe—purchased the Orlando Miracle and relocated the team to Uncasville, Conn. Rizzotti heralded Sun ownership’s investment over the last two decades saying “they were at the forefront of a lot of investment before a lot of other teams were there.” The tribe bought the team for $10 million. 

The Atlanta Dream were the last WNBA team sold for between $7 million and $10 million in 2021, but that no longer offers the most accurate indication of a franchise’s market value. The WNBA’s recent boom has contributed to a significant increase in valuations. A 1% stake in the Dallas Wings—a team once seen as one of the league’s least valuable franchises—recently put the team’s value at $208 million. The expansion fees are expected to more than double in the latest round with a potential Cleveland expansion team fetching between $200 million and $250 million, according to reports.  

The Wings will open a $54 million practice facility in 2026, and Dream GM Dan Padover told FOS the team is actively scouting locations for a facility. The Sun have said in the past they are exploring their options as it pertains to a dedicated practice facility but have made no formal announcement. A minority sale could allow the franchise to fund the development of a practice facility. 

The Sun have in recent years faced heavy criticism from players. Prior to being traded to the Mercury, forward Alyssa Thomas expressed her disapproval over the team’s practice court being split with a 2-year-old’s birthday party a day before they faced the Fever in the first round. 

Thomas was subsequently cored—allowing the Sun to retain exclusive negotiating rights over her—before she was dealt to the Mercury in a four-team trade that included guards Natasha Cloud and Rebecca Allen. Both players refused to play for the Sun and were traded, Cloud to the Liberty and Allen to the Sky. Sun guard Marina Mabrey publicly asked for a trade, which was denied by Rizzotti and GM Morgan Tuck. 

Before the mass exodus of All-Star caliber players, the Sun were a consistent title contender, making eight consecutive postseason berths including six straight semifinals or Finals appearances between 2019 and 2024.

The question now is whether the Mohegan Sun, a subsidiary of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, can afford to operate a championship-caliber organization in the WNBA’s current market. Earlier this year Mohegan Sun announced it was at risk of defaulting on several loans, with its total debt standing at $3.1 billion

Beyond being drafted by the Sun with the No. 1 overall pick in 2010, Charles—an eight-time All-Star and two-time scoring champion in the WNBA—won two NCAA titles with UConn. 

In the meantime, the Sun open the season against the Washington Mystics on Sunday. 

“They have their job and our job is to put the best product on the floor,” Charles said. “We trust that they’re going to do their jobs and make the right decision that will benefit the organization, players, and the staff moving forward.” 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ukrainian Tennis Star Blames Sports Bettors for Death Threats

Svitolina is currently ranked No. 13 in the world.
Diana Taurasi

Diana Taurasi Warns Against WNBA Work Stoppage 

Taurasi saw several key negotiations in her legendary career.

Former Heat Security Guard Indicted in $2M Memorabilia Scheme

He is accused of stealing more than 400 game-worn jerseys and other memorabilia, prosecutors say.

WNBA Hits Sophie Cunningham With Fine Over Ref Criticism—Again

Cunningham was fined $500 in July for criticizing referees on a TikTok.

Featured Today

Inked Under Anesthesia: Athletes Getting $50,000 Tattoos

High-end studios, elite artist teams, and hours under anesthesia.
Coco Gauff at New York Liberty
August 2, 2025

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Las Vegas sign
July 29, 2025

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.

Spurs Are Spending Big Now, but Can They Afford Their Future?

San Antonio traded for Fox in February ahead of the trade deadline.
August 2, 2025

Bengals Extend Stadium Lease After $350M in Public Funds for Renovation

The Bengals will stay in the 25-year-old stadium through at least 2036.
August 5, 2025

Mammoth vs. Mammoth: NHL Team Strikes First in Trademark Feud

The Utah NHL team announced its new name in May.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
August 1, 2025

Commanders Seal Stadium Deal As D.C. Approves $1.1B in Funding

The NFL team’s return to its prior home receives key political support.
July 31, 2025

Ferrari Extends F1 Boss Weeks After Red Bull Fire Horner

Fred Vasseur joined Ferrari in 2023.
July 30, 2025

Mayor Calls Commanders RFK Stadium Deal ‘a BFD’ for D.C.’s Future

The NFL team makes a series of additional commitments.
July 30, 2025

Trey Hendrickson Ends $450K Holdout Without New Bengals Deal

The defensive end is seeking a raise on his $16 million 2025 salary.