The spokesperson for a “would-be” ownership group looking to bring the WNBA to Boston says that the Mohegan Tribe “wants to keep the Connecticut Sun in the state,” according to Kels Dayton of the HARTFORD COURANT. Boston Women’s Basketball Partners (BWBP) spokesperson AJ Gerritson said last week that the Mohegan Tribe, current owner of the Sun, “indicated in conversations that it would be seeking owners who would keep the team in Connecticut.” Gerritson: “In terms of the path forward for us, it looks more and more like it’s going to be expansion.” The Boston group, which includes former NBAer Michael Carter-Williams and actor Donnie Wahlberg, did “not submit a bid for a franchise during the latest round of WNBA expansion.” Dayton wrote many “took that as a signal that the most likely scenario was the Sun’s eventual relocation to the city.” Gerritson noted the group did not submit a bid “purely because of timing.” Mohegan Tribe leadership said, “Mohegan continues to evaluate all strategic opportunities in the best interest of the CT Sun, MTGA (Mohegan Tribe Gaming Authority) and WNBA.” According to State House News Service, despite Gerritson’s comments, a Boston City Council member yesterday “called for local sports fans and investors to push the Sun for relocation.” District 4 Councilor Brian Worrell “introduced a resolution” to “promote a franchise in the city.” Worrell: “They’ve been New England’s team for two decades, but I think a spot in Boston would help them reach the audience they deserve” (HARTFORD COURANT, 7/9).
Mohegan Tribe signals intent to keep Sun in state, Boston group shifts focus to expansion
