By Tiffany Williams –
Wherever you hail from in New England, the Connecticut Sun has swiftly become the home team for fans in the region. During the 2024 season, the Sun showcased their strong connection to New England by playing their inaugural game in Boston at the iconic TD Garden, a venue that locals affectionately refer to as “the Garden.” That thrilling match drew a sold-out crowd, emphasizing the team’s growing popularity. Excitingly, the Connecticut Sun is slated to return to Boston for another game during the summer of the 2025 season.
But now there is a push for Boston to secure its own WNBA expansion team. Spearheading this initiative are actor and singer Donnie Wahlberg, along with Hamilton native and former NBA player Michael Carter-Williams. Their efforts are garnering attention and credibility, bolstered by support from Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey.
The WNBA is experiencing a wave of expansion, with new franchises poised to begin play in major cities, including San Francisco (home to the Golden State franchise), Portland, and Toronto, all scheduled for rollout within the next two years. According to Sports Business Journal, Cleveland is set to become the league’s 16th team in 2028, indicating a robust trajectory for the league’s growth.
To formalize their ambitions, the Wahlberg/Carter-Williams group, known as Boston Women’s Basketball Partners, will need to submit an official application for their desired team. This application must gain approval from the league’s current ownership and fulfill an associated expansion fee requirement.
The ownership group comprises a diverse array of talent and expertise, including former Salem State standout Mandy Carter-Zegarowski, media executive AJ Gerritson, real estate developer Paul Dahn, financial adviser Bob Lemmond, and lobbyist Gregg Nolan.
While the extent of the WNBA’s future expansion beyond 16 teams remains uncertain, several other cities—including Detroit, Philadelphia, Nashville, and Charlotte—are actively expressing interest in joining the league. Aside from the Connecticut Sun’s occasional games in Boston, discussions surrounding a dedicated team for the city had largely been absent until this recent initiative.
Looking ahead, the Connecticut Sun will tip off their 2025 season at their home turf, Mohegan Sun Arena, on May 18 against the Washington Mystics at 1:00 PM ET. Additionally, they are set to face off against the Seattle Storm in a preseason matchup on Sunday, May 4, with the game commencing at 6:00 PM ET (3:00 PM PT) at Climate Pledge Arena.
In the context of their competitive history, the Sun faced challenges against the Storm in the 2024 regular season series, finishing with a record of 1-2. However, they have displayed remarkable resilience, winning seven of the last nine encounters against Seattle, dating back to the 2022 season. The last preseason clash between these two teams occurred on May 8, 2007, when the Storm narrowly defeated the Sun with a final score of 63-55 in Connecticut.
Since the 2015 season, the Sun have demonstrated impressive performance in preseason games, boasting a 17-3 record. The team has also shown a knack for success recently, having won eight of their last ten preseason matches, setting an optimistic tone as they approach the new season.