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Connecticut Sun Sale Situation Proves WNBA Players Deserve Significant Pay Raise

The competition and price tag for WNBA franchises is a clear sign of the league's future financial fortunes.
Robin Lundberg|
Apr 14, 2025; New York, New York, USA; WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert talks to the media before the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Apr 14, 2025; New York, New York, USA; WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert talks to the media before the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The situation around the possible sale of the Connecticut Sun has officially become a saga.

Because after it was initially reported that a group led by Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca had agreed to buy the team, some other noteworthy details have emerged.

First, both the WNBA and Pagliuca released statements regarding the rumored $325 million purchase and relocation to Boston. The WNBA stated that such decisions are made by the board of governors and not individual teams. Adding that Boston does not have priority over cities that went through the formal expansion process.

Meanwhile, Pagliuca's statement confirmed the plan to purchase the franchise from the Mohegan Sun Tribe and move it to Boston, however, he made it clear that is contingent on the approval of the WNBA—essentially saying it is in the league's hands.

Following that, a report from Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports made things even more interesting. Costabile reports that the Sun acquisition offer was presented to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert but not to the league's board of governors.

Her article adds that the exclusivity period has expired which allows other interested groups to enter the fray, including one led by Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry.

This all comes as the Governor of Connecticut has stated he will "do what it takes" to keep the franchise where it is.

It remains to be seen how all this will be sorted out, but one thing is clear, there is competition for WNBA real estate.

WNBA Franchise Value Is Clear Case for Player Pay Raise

To sum up the above, not only are interested parties seemingly competing for current and future WNBA franchises, but the league has of course already announced teams for Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia—those coming on the heels of the launch of Portland and Toronto's teams next season.

So, it is inarguable that the league is growing.

On top of that is the increased price tags for teams. The prospective Sun sale for $325 million would set a record for a women's professional sports team. The Mohegan Sun Tribe purchased the team for $10 million in 2003. The last WNBA team sold, the Atlanta Dream in 2021, was reportedly acquired for under that $10 million figure.

One doesn't have to be a math major to see the staggering increase in franchise value based on the Sun sale price. Not to mention, it isn't as if Connecticut is considered one of the league's marquee teams.

The New York Liberty recently received a $450 million valuation. While the Golden State Valkyries are expected to be valued at a figure even higher than that in the near future.

All this goes to show, that any crying about the WNBA not being a profitable business isn't taking into account the skyrocketing value of franchises.

The league's lack of profit has been the primary argument against the player's case for a significant pay increase and share of the revenue.

But said argument doesn't hold water considering the folks making it actually don't have access to the financials and are ignoring other significant factors—the value of franchise ownership being a major one.

There's also the fact that increased viewership has led to a significant jump in the league's media rights deal, which hasn't gone into effect yet, thus meaning the money is on the way.

WNBA ratings, attendance, and franchise value are all way up. It's impossible to take in that information and not see that the players deserve a huge increase in pay.

The only question remaining is just how much of a raise they'll be able to secure in CBA negotiations with the WNBA.

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Robin Lundberg
ROBIN LUNDBERG

Robin Lundberg is a media veteran and hoops head who has spent the bulk of his career with iconic brands like Sports Illustrated and ESPN. His insights have also been featured on platforms such as Fox and CNN and he can currently be heard hosting shows for Sirius XM and on his burgeoning YouTube show. And now he brings his basketball expertise to Women's Fastbreak on SI!

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