Connecticut Proposes Deal to Keep WNBA's Sun in State amid Relocation Rumors

The state of Connecticut is making an effort to keep the Connecticut Sun within The Constitution State by purchasing a minority stake, according to ESPN's Alexa Philippou.

Under the plan, the Sun would continue to play the majority of their home games at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville while adding PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford to the rotation.

The state of Connecticut would also oversee the construction of a practice facility in Hartford, which the Sun would lease.

Connecticut Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz wants the franchise to remain in its current home.

"I do believe that the best place for the Connecticut Sun is Connecticut because we have this very fierce fan base for women basketball," she told Philippou. "We love the Huskies. We love watching the Sun. So many of our favorite players from UConn will be part of the Sun or have been part of the Sun, and we've seen that the Connecticut Sun players have been great community leaders and role models."

The Mohegan tribe began searching for prospective buyers for the Sun in May, and it didn't take long for a serious contender to emerge. The tribe struck a tentative agreement in August with Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca for a sale totaling $325 million. The Sun would then eventually relocate to Boston.

The WNBA, however, issued a statement to say any relocation plans had to be approved by the Board of Governors. In addition, relocation effectively needed to follow the league's preferred list of expansion markets:

Marc Lasry, a former co-owner of the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks, led a competing effort to buy the Sun and station them permanently in Hartford over Uncasville.

Philippou and colleague Ramona Shelburne provided further intrigue on Aug. 19 when they reported the Mohegan tribe "is frustrated and feels the league is presenting a one-path option: relocation of the team to a market of its choosing at a value of its choosing."

To that end, the WNBA proposed buying the Sun for $250 million.

Not only are there the optics of the league potentially moving the Sun out of New England despite attempts to avoid that fate, but they'd also be paying the Mohegan tribe at least $75 million less than the franchise is worth on the open market.

Having the state of Connecticut step up to the plate would seemingly offer a straightforward solution toward not only keeping the Sun where they are but also providing the organization with a much needed capital injection.