Hartford Makes Push To Keep WNBA's Sun In Connecticut

HARTFORD, CT —Since 2003, Connecticut has been home to the WNBA's Connecticut Sun, and it has played its home games at the Mohegan Sun arena at the Mohegan Tribe's casino.

But with the tribe now planning to sell the franchise in the fast-growing professional women's basketball league, Hartford officials are asking for public support to urge a team move to Hartford.

"Hartford, we need your voice," wrote the City of Hartford on social media Friday morning.

"The Connecticut Sun have called Mohegan Sun home for years — but now it’s time to bring them to Hartford."

While a Boston owner linked to the Boston Celtics has been rumored to be interested in moving the team to Boston, there is also a movement for a Connecticut-based owner to acquire the team and move it to PeoplesBank Arena (aka the XL Center or the Hartford Civic Center).

But there's a problem, according to the City of Hartford.

"The WNBA has said they don’t plan to keep the team in Connecticut, no matter the bid," wrote the city on Friday.

"That’s not fair to our state or our city. Hartford is ready and waiting at People’s Bank Arena to give the Sun the home they deserve."

Right now, the Connecticut Sun's future remains in limbo, as the tribe has reportedly agreed to sell to the Boston buyer, but the WNBA has yet to approve the sale, leaving open hope the Sun could stay in Connecticut.

Thursday, Hartford Mayor Arunan Alampalam hosted a press conference outside PeoplesBank Arena to urge support for keeping the Connecticut Sun in Connecticut, specifically, Hartford.

Hartford is currently home to the Hartford Yard Goats AA minor league baseball team and the Hartford Athletic USL Championship Division professional soccer club.

Alampalam said Connecticut's status in the national basketball scene, with a combined 18 men's and women's NCAA Division I national championships at the University of Connecticut, merits a WNBA team.

Hartford is fighting to keep the Connecticut Sun right here in the state where it belongs. We’re the basketball capital of the world, with a long and proud history of supporting women’s basketball — and the WNBA should value that," Alampalam said.

Hartford officials urged folks to call the WNBA customer service number at 855-438-0683 to express support for a Hartford team.