The saga continues regarding sale of the Connecticut Sun. The Mohegan Tribe has owned the franchise for more than two decades, but with the current sales process pending, there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Sun and its direction.
With all the business chaos surrounding the franchise, players have no choice but to keep their eyes focused on their job: playing basketball. In the end, the the players are here to do that – play. The sale of Connecticut has become a hot topic within the WNBA, attracting attention from all sides, including that of one of the U.S. senators who represents the state in Washington, DC.
On Monday, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) delivered a strong letter to the WNBA, making clear that the league must stay out of negotiations between the Mohegan Tribe and potential owners.
“Any further attempt by the WNBA to use its considerable governance and market power over the Connecticut Sun to limit or dictate negotiations with the State of Connecticut could constitute an unreasonable restraint of trade and market interference that would violate federal antitrust laws,” Sen. Blumenthal wrote, according to his press release.
“As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over antitrust matters, I am closely monitoring the WNBA’s actions and will demand investigations and enforcement action from the appropriate federal authorities if it takes any action to obstruct or limit Connecticut negotiations.”
For some time now, numerous attempts have been made to reach an acceptable solution, but no progress has been made. One offer includes $325 million from Steve Pagliuca, former minority owner of the Boston Celtics. Another was made by former Milwaukee Bucks minority owner Marc Lasry that matched the value, but neither came to fruition.
One of the latest offers came with a value of $250 million made by the WNBA, but that option was also not deemed feasible by the tribe. Tensions continue to rise between the WNBA and the Mohegan Tribe, but ESPN’s Alexa Philippou reports that the two sides are expected to meet soon and hopefully reach a decision.
The end of the regular season is fast approaching, and although a decision must be made regarding the Sun’s fate, Now is not the time for Connecticut. lose any remaining momentum in the tank.
