The sale saga of the Connecticut Sun added a new chapter this week, as the state of Connecticut submitted a bid proposal on Thursday that would see the WNBA team remain in-state.

Owned by the Mohegan Tribe since 2003, the state is just the latest entrant into an ongoing bidding war for the franchise, with Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca, ex-Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry, and the WNBA itself all making offers ranging from $250 to $325 million in recent weeks.

Unlike previous relocation bids, the state's proposed sale plan sees the Connecticut Sun splitting home games between their current Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville and Hartford's larger PeoplesBank Arena, while also promising a new practice facility in the state capital.

Despite winding down 2025 in 12th place, the Sun have amassed a loyal local following, selling out their 10,000-capacity arena four times this year in a state buoyed by NCAA basketball powerhouse and current national champion UConn located less than an hour away.

"The best place for the Connecticut Sun is Connecticut because we have this very fierce fan base for women's basketball," Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz told ESPN. "We love the [UConn] Huskies. We love watching the Sun… and we've seen that the Connecticut Sun players have been great community leaders and role models."

The future remains uncertain for the Connecticut Sun, with sale reports surfacing Friday that Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca struck a deal with the Mohegan Tribe to purchase and move the team to Boston — though the WNBA might have other plans.

The WNBA Board of Governors has not approved the Connecticut Sun sale, valued at a reported $325 million.

"Relocation decisions are made by the WNBA Board of Governors, and not by individual teams," the league said in a statement, asserting final say.

Along with hosting Sun games at the Celtics' TD Garden, Pagliuca's offer includes building a $110 million dedicated practice facility — big upgrades from the team's current 9,000-seat arena and communal training center.

Having owned and operated the Sun since the team relocated from Orlando in 2003, the Mohegan Tribe began exploring a potential sale in May, while also promising to keep the team at Mohegan Sun through the 2026 season.

Per the Globe, the WNBA has the power to force a sale to a Connecticut buyer, speculating that the league is instead eyeing Boston as a 2033 expansion city.

Hartford mayor Arunan Arulampalam weighed in this week, telling media that he's working with a local investment group to keep the Sun in-state.

"We have a long history of women's basketball fandom here," he said. "It makes so much sense for them to play right here in Hartford."

With both valuations and expansion interest soaring, one-off deals could cloud the WNBA's vision — but an ownership tug-of-war can also take its toll.

"I know there's still uncertainty about the future, but our loyal fans, they're excited to be able to watch this team grow," said Connecticut Sun president Jennifer Rizzotti. "And if it ends up being our last year here, we're going to make sure we blow it out."