Image Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

US Senator Warns WNBA to Stay Out of Connecticut Sun’s Ongoing Sales Negotiation

Connecticut Sun's sale negotiation drama has gotten more complex!

Image Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

A US Senator named Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) warned the WNBA to stay out of sale negotiations of the Connecticut Sun. In his letter, Blumenthal said that any interference by the WNBA could break federal laws about fair business practices. Not only this, but he also wrote that the league’s actions to hinder Connecticut’s negotiations could lead to investigations and enforcement actions.

“Any further attempts by the WNBA to use its considerable governance and market power over the Connecticut Sun to limit or dictate negotiations with the state of Connecticut could be an unreasonable restraint of trade and interference with the market that would violate federal antitrust laws,” the Senator wrote.

NEW: U.S. Sen. Blumenthal announces he has sent a letter to the WNBA regarding “their reported interference in the Mohegan Tribe’s negotiations with competing bidders for ownership of the Connecticut Sun women’s basketball team.”

Full letter: pic.twitter.com/V444dTnthz
— Maggie Vanoni (@maggie_vanoni) September 8, 2025

What is the Entire Connecticut Sun’s Sale Negotiation Scenario?

The Connecticut Sun, owned by the Mohegan tribe since 2003, has been up for sale since this summer. They received two bids for a full franchise sale for a record sum of $325 million. One of the bids is from the Celtics ownership group, which would relocate the team to Boston. The other bid is from Marc Lasry, which would require them to move to Hartford and keep in Connecticut.

The WNA, however, rejected both the bids citing that cities which had applied for expansion teams would be prioritized. It then offered $250 million for the purchase of the team with plans to sell it to a Houston ownership group led by Rockets owner Tilman Feritta. The sum is $75 million less than the offer Tribe already has in hands.

Blumenthal, in his letter, argued that it is an unreasonable demand and it could be deemed an antitrust violation. He also said that if the team is relocated out of Connecticut, it would leave New England without a franchise, disrupting the stability the team has achieved over the years. He wrote, “Hartford has already demonstrated the ability to draw fans, notably hosting both the UCONN men’s and women’s basketball games, two of the most successful college basketball programs in the country, as well as NCAA Tournament games.”

“Furthermore, relocating the team out of Connecticut would leave New England without a WNBA team, and disrupt the stability and growth the Sun have achieved over the years in the state, which has made it the successful franchise that it has become.”

The impact Blumenthal’s letter makes is actually to be seen but things have gotten even more complicated, adding another layer of drama to a sale process.

Connecticut Sun

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.