Boston’s NBA Ownership Eyeing WNBA Team
Boston, Mass. – The new majority owner of the Celtics, Bill Chisholm, is expressing hopes of bringing a WNBA franchise to Boston. This announcement came during his introductory press conference on Thursday afternoon.
“Honestly, I think Boston really needs a team,” Chisholm stated. “This is, after all, the best sports city in the nation and the place where basketball was born. I mean, shouldn’t there be a team?”
Chisholm took over as the majority owner last month, teaming up with Aditya Mittal, who was seated next to him during the press conference. There’s been some buzz that Chisholm may be interested in acquiring a WNBA team for a little while now.
In early August, it was reported that Steve Pagliuca, a minority owner of the Celtics, was in discussions to buy the Connecticut Sun from the Mohegan Tribe. However, the WNBA made a quick statement on the matter.
The WNBA noted that the committee would decide on relocation, not individual teams. Following a recent expansion that added franchises in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia, nine other cities are also in the running for new teams. Chisholm has reached out to the league’s office, pushing for Boston to be considered for a future WNBA franchise.
Uncertainty Surrounds WNBA Team in Boston
Since the initial reports emerged, interest in acquiring the Sun has intensified. A bid led by former Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry has sought to relocate the team to Hartford, Connecticut. Meanwhile, the league has reportedly offered the Sun the chance to move to Houston. Simultaneously, Connecticut lawmakers are advocating to keep their team in-state and have pushed back against negotiations.
Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal recently warned the WNBA to stay clear of discussions that might affect the Mohegan Tribe and the prospective ownership group. He expressed concerns, suggesting that any attempts by the WNBA to interfere could potentially breach federal antitrust laws.
If the sale of the Sun doesn’t lead to a WNBA team in Boston, expansion might be the next option on the table.
Currently, the WNBA has 13 teams, with the Golden State Valkyrie participating this season. The league plans to add the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire next season, with additional franchises expected in Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029), and Philadelphia (2030).
On August 19, it was reported that the league is considering Boston in future expansion plans, with Chisholm appearing as a favored candidate to lead a potential franchise.
However, this outcome could still be years away.
Speaking to reporters, Chisholm acknowledged that he is still settling into his role, yet he is keen on the idea of bringing a WNBA team to Boston. But, an exact timeline for that prospect remains unclear.
“It’s certainly something we’re looking into,” he remarked. “We understand that the NBA has a specific process to follow, and we’re doing all we can to advance that. But it’s a process nonetheless. And philosophically speaking, it really does make a lot of sense.”
