Final Boston WNBA Stop: Tuesday at TD Garden Likely Last for Years
The Connecticut Sun Are Leaving New England: What Happens Next for Boston and the WNBA?
The Big Picture: A Sunset Season in New England
Imagine your favorite local team packing up and moving away. That’s exactly what’s happening with the Connecticut Sun, the WNBA team that has represented New England for over 20 years. After this season, they’re heading to Houston, Texas — and Boston is left without a women’s pro basketball team for the foreseeable future.
Important Point: The Sun’s final regular-season game at Boston’s TD Garden is Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Sparks. After that, only four home games remain in Connecticut before this chapter closes.
How Did We Get Here? A Quick Timeline
- Last Year’s Hope: Former Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca tried to buy the Sun and move them to Boston.
- The WNBA Said No: The league blocked that sale quickly.
- New Owner, New City: Tilman Fertitta (owner of the NBA’s Houston Rockets) bought the team for $300 million.
- The Move Is Set: The Sun will become a Houston team after the 2026 season ends.
Why Does This Matter? The WNBA Is Booming
The league isn’t shrinking — it’s exploding in popularity. Check out these numbers:
- Viewership: Higher than last season’s record-breaking numbers
- Attendance: Up 16% at the 2026 All-Star break
- Player Pay: New labor deal gives players nearly 20% of league revenue
- Salary Cap: Jumped nearly 5x to $7 million per team
- Team Values: Average franchise now worth $427 million — a 59% jump in one year
Important Point: The WNBA is in its "most prosperous era" — and New England is about to miss out on it.
The Expansion Wave: Who’s Getting Teams?
The WNBA is growing from 12 to 18 teams by 2030. Here’s the schedule:
| Year | New Team(s) | NBA Connection |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Toronto, Portland | Raptors, Trail Blazers |
| 2028 | Cleveland | Cavaliers |
| 2029 | Detroit | Pistons |
| 2030 | Philadelphia | 76ers |
Each new owner paid a record $250 million expansion fee.
Notice anything? Every single new team has a direct NBA ownership link. That’s the model the league prefers.
So Where Does Boston Fit In?
The Good News
- Celtics Owner Bill Chisholm says: "Boston should have a team… It’s the birthplace of basketball."
- WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert says: "Do I foresee in the 2030s… them being part of the process? Yes."
- Governor Maura Healey (former college/pro player) is lobbying hard: "I don’t want Boston or New England to have to wait that long."
The Bad News
- No expansion window is open right now.
- The league won’t comment on timing for the next round.
- Best-case scenario: Boston gets a team in the 2030s — at least 5+ years away.
Important Point: Boston is one of America’s top sports cities, but it’s not on the current expansion list. The door is closed — for now.
What Happens Between Now and Then?
For the Sun (Final Months)
- Tuesday, Aug 18: vs. Sparks at TD Garden (7 PM, NBC Sports Boston)
- 4 more home games in Connecticut
- Then: Pack up for Houston
For Boston Fans
- Support the Sun while they’re here
- Watch the WNBA’s growth on TV/streaming
- Keep pressure on local leaders & Celtics ownership
For the League
- Finalize Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia launches
- Negotiate next media rights deal (huge $$$ coming)
- Decide when/where next expansion happens
Why the NBA Connection Matters (ELI5 Explanation)
Think of it like this: The WNBA and NBA are siblings. The NBA is the older brother who helps the younger sister grow.
When an NBA owner buys a WNBA team:
- Shared arena (lower costs)
- Shared marketing & ticket sales
- Shared practice facilities
- Instant credibility with sponsors
- Built-in fan base crossover
That’s why Cleveland, Detroit, Philly all have NBA partners — and why Chisholm’s Celtics ownership makes Boston a natural fit when the time comes.
Summary: The Bottom Line
| What’s Happening | When | What It Means for Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Sun leave for Houston | After 2026 season | No WNBA team in New England |
| Current expansion wave | 2024–2030 | Boston not included |
| Next expansion window | 2030s (earliest) | Celtics owner ready to act |
| WNBA growth | Right now | Boston missing the boom |
The Sun are setting on New England women’s pro basketball — but the Celtics’ ownership group says they’ll be ready when the league opens the door again.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Why did the WNBA block Steve Pagliuca’s bid to move the Sun to Boston?
The league wants expansion fees ($250M each) rather than relocation. Moving an existing team doesn’t grow the league — adding a new one does. Plus, they prefer NBA-linked ownership groups.
Could the Sun have stayed in Connecticut?
Tilman Fertitta (Houston Rockets owner) bought them specifically to move them to Houston. He has an arena, infrastructure, and NBA synergy waiting there.
Will Boston definitely get a team in the 2030s?
"Definitely" is strong — but all signs point yes. The commissioner expects it, the Celtics owner wants it, and the market supports it. The only question is exactly when.
What about the NWSL’s Boston Legacy? Doesn’t that count?
Yes! Boston Legacy (women’s pro soccer) starts play in 2026. So for one month, Boston will have teams in every major pro league (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NWSL, WNBA). Then the WNBA leaves — creating a gap.
How can I watch the Sun’s final games?
- Tuesday, Aug 18: Sun vs. Sparks at TD Garden — 7 PM on NBC Sports Boston
- 4 remaining home games in Uncasville, CT (Mohegan Sun Arena)
- All games stream on WNBA League Pass and select national TV
Article based on reporting by Emma Healy, Boston Globe. The WNBA’s next chapter in New England is unwritten — but the interest is real, the money is there, and the Celtics’ new ownership has the playbook ready.