Connecticut Sun's Final Season: A Bittersweet Farewell

0:00Connecticut's WNBA team, the Sun, is leaving after 23 years as the state's last major league franchise. The Mohegan tribe confirmed the sale to Texas businessman Timon Fertitta, who owns the Houston Rockets for $300 million, the biggest. Deal in league history. The team plays one final season here, with games in Hartford and Boston before heading to Houston in 2027 as the revived comments. Earlier this year, local bids fell short, including one from Boston Celtics investor Steve Pagliuca for $325 million and another, backed by state leaders to keep it in Hartford. The league favored aligning with NBA owners like Fertitta, overriding Connecticut's push despite Governor Ned Lamont offering state funds for a stake. Fans and officials feel the sting, calling the Sun a core part of the state's basketball soul, birthplace of the women's game. Using it caps a trend, like the Hartford Whalers bolting in 1997, leaving folks worried

1:00about Connecticut's pull for big time. Sports. Rising costs for facilities and player salaries strained the Mohegan tribe, even as the Sun hit playoffs and sold out games. Meanwhile, minor league shine, Hartford Yard Goats packed the stands, Wolf Pack hit records, and soccer squads like Hartford athletic grab trophies. As the final season ramps up, the focus stays on honoring fans who built this legacy, proving Connecticut's sports heart beat strong, even without, majors for now. This has been Hartford News Today, powered by AI, I'm Corey with the story.