The potential sale and relocation of the Connecticut Sun is sending shockwaves through the state. The move leaves UConn as the last women's pro team standing. Now, legendary coach Geno Auriemma has shared his blunt take on what the loss means for the community.

With the news spreading, Geno Auriemma, who has led UConn for over 40 years, was asked about the situation after his team’s NCAA Tournament win over North Carolina on March 27.

"Well, yeah. I mean, I think the people at Mohegan Sun, I think they stepped up when they were needed. And brought a team to Connecticut, as Connecticut deserves to have a team," the coach said.

With 11 national titles and now the all-time wins record, Geno Auriemma has long moved past greatness into a league of his own.

“Because we're a proven... where people will support women's basketball. So then, now [with the Sun] moving, I think it leaves a void,” Geno Auriemma said.

The coach pointed out how strong Connecticut’s support for the game has always been.

The Mohegan Tribe helped save the franchise more than 20 years ago by moving the Orlando Miracle to Connecticut, betting on the state’s love for women’s basketball and the success of the UConn Huskies women's basketball.

As the WNBA has grown in popularity, keeping up has become harder, especially since the Sun are the only team without a dedicated practice facility.

Last May, the Sun said they were reviewing their future in Connecticut, and reports later revealed they received offers from Boston and even the state itself to keep the team in New England.

Both deals eventually fell through, as the league reportedly leaned toward a bigger market with stronger ties to the NBA.

“They had a great fan base. And it wasn't only like UConn fans… They did a great job of establishing their own fan base,” Auriemma added. “Unfortunately, that's the world, right now...the majority of the teams… are gonna be sort of NBA-centric… And that's where the money is.”

While Geno Auriemma addressed the bigger picture and business side of the move, the emotional impact of the Connecticut Sun’s departure is being felt just as strongly by UConn’s current players.

UConn’s Caroline Ducharme Shares Emotional Take on Sun Relocation

Caroline Ducharme said she hoped the Connecticut Sun would move to Boston, especially since the team sold out games at TD Garden in recent seasons and is set to host another there this summer.

"I think it was just really cool to see like, 'Oh, this could be you if you really put your mind to it,' and just how impactful they were," she told CT Insider recently.

Since arriving at UConn, Ducharme and Ashlynn Shade Ziebell have attended multiple Sun games during the offseason.

"The more time I was here, I would know more people in the league… it was always special and exciting that we knew we would definitely get to see them play in person," Ducharme said.

So, should the WNBA have prioritized keeping the team in Connecticut or moving it to a bigger market like Houston? What do you think?

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Written by

Sauramita Debbarma

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote