Mohegan Tribe sells Connecticut Sun after two decades of ownership
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The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut sold the Connecticut Sun WNBA team to the Houston Rockets for $300 million, ending 24 seasons of tribal ownership.
In 2003, the Mohegan Tribe became the first Native American tribe to own a professional sports team when they purchased the Orlando Miracle and moved it to Uncasville, Connecticut, renaming it the Connecticut Sun.
The team connected generations of tribal members and provided a platform to share Mohegan culture with a wider audience, incorporating language and imagery into team branding and practices. The decision to sell came as the WNBA grew in popularity and required teams to invest in expensive upgrades to facilities, posing a financial strain on the tribe which was already managing debt.
The Mohegan Tribe had previously rescued the WNBA franchise during a financial crisis, and some members felt betrayed when the league prevented a potential sale to a Boston-based group that would have kept the team closer to Connecticut. Despite the sadness surrounding the team’s relocation, tribal members reflect on the pride and community the Sun fostered.
The team’s final game on Mohegan land Thursday night marks the end of an era, but the Mohegan Tribe hopes their investment helped shape the WNBA into what it is today and paved the way for other tribes to invest in professional sports.
