Latest news with #RachidMeziane
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Connecticut Sun are struggling at start of rebuild with losses in six of first seven games
Tina Charles returned to the Connecticut Sun knowing the franchise was rebuilding. The WNBA's all-time leading rebounder didn't care because it was a chance to come full circle with the team that drafted her No. 1 in 2010. So far on the court it's been a rough start to the season for the Sun, who have lost six of their first seven games, including suffering the worst defeat in franchise history in their last outing — a 48-point loss to New York . 'I thought worse off this would happen,' Charles said. 'You have whole new players, a new coach, a new system. I knew there was going to be growing pains as a team and as coaches, but I think we've been able to have good conversations in the sense of what needs to be our approach.' It's not a real surprise that the Sun are struggling. Connecticut lost all five starters from last season's team that made it to at least the playoff semifinals for the sixth consecutive season. No team in WNBA history has had as much changeover from one year to the next as the Sun have had. Charles and Marina Mabrey are two of the veteran players on the squad that's still searching for its identity. 'This is a new cycle for us and we are not a finished product so we had to understand sometimes we have some bad days,' first-year Connecticut coach Rachid Meziane said after the loss to New York. 'Try to fix and reduce our mistakes.' Connecticut has lost its six games by an average of 21.7 points — the worst in the league. Even with the struggles, Charles is hoping to be a mentor for some of the younger players such as Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Aneesah Morrow. Morrow was the No. 7 pick in the draft this season . 'I get to do what I love. I get to do it back with the organization that believed in me first,' Charles said. 'Get to impact them. Just to see the growth within my players, not just as basketball players, but as a woman off the court. That's really what the goal is. I'm just more so happy that I'm able to impact these guys, especially Olivia and just what her future is going to look like.' Off the court the team's future is unclear. The Mohegan Tribe, which owns the franchise, is exploring a potential sale of the team. It hired an investment bank to explore the possibility, which may lead to a relocation of the franchise. If the Sun do end up moving, one potential destination could be Boston. The Sun played a regular-season game there last year that sold out. The team will face Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever in Boston in July. The group in Boston that includes former NBA player Michael Carter-Williams, which is interested in getting a franchise in Massachusetts' capital, declined to comment to The Associated Press at this time when asked if it was interested in buying the Sun. ___ AP WNBA:
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Connecticut Sun are struggling at start of rebuild with losses in six of first seven games
Tina Charles returned to the Connecticut Sun knowing the franchise was rebuilding. The WNBA's all-time leading rebounder didn't care because it was a chance to come full circle with the team that drafted her No. 1 in 2010. So far on the court it's been a rough start to the season for the Sun, who have lost six of their first seven games, including suffering the worst defeat in franchise history in their last outing — a 48-point loss to New York. 'I thought worse off this would happen,' Charles said. 'You have whole new players, a new coach, a new system. I knew there was going to be growing pains as a team and as coaches, but I think we've been able to have good conversations in the sense of what needs to be our approach.' It's not a real surprise that the Sun are struggling. Connecticut lost all five starters from last season's team that made it to at least the playoff semifinals for the sixth consecutive season. No team in WNBA history has had as much changeover from one year to the next as the Sun have had. Charles and Marina Mabrey are two of the veteran players on the squad that's still searching for its identity. 'This is a new cycle for us and we are not a finished product so we had to understand sometimes we have some bad days,' first-year Connecticut coach Rachid Meziane said after the loss to New York. 'Try to fix and reduce our mistakes.' Connecticut has lost its six games by an average of 21.7 points — the worst in the league. Even with the struggles, Charles is hoping to be a mentor for some of the younger players such as Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Aneesah Morrow. Morrow was the No. 7 pick in the draft this season. 'I get to do what I love. I get to do it back with the organization that believed in me first,' Charles said. 'Get to impact them. Just to see the growth within my players, not just as basketball players, but as a woman off the court. That's really what the goal is. I'm just more so happy that I'm able to impact these guys, especially Olivia and just what her future is going to look like.' Off the court the team's future is unclear. The Mohegan Tribe, which owns the franchise, is exploring a potential sale of the team. It hired an investment bank to explore the possibility, which may lead to a relocation of the franchise. If the Sun do end up moving, one potential destination could be Boston. The Sun played a regular-season game there last year that sold out. The team will face Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever in Boston in July. The group in Boston that includes former NBA player Michael Carter-Williams, which is interested in getting a franchise in Massachusetts' capital, declined to comment to The Associated Press at this time when asked if it was interested in buying the Sun. ___ AP WNBA:
Boston Globe
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
As the WNBA surges in popularity, can the Connecticut Sun meet the moment?
Write to us at . To subscribe, . TODAY'S STARTING POINT Can the Connecticut Sun ride the wave? The Sun are one of the most successful WNBA teams. Since moving to Uncasville, Conn., in 2003, they've had the highest winning percentage among active teams (.570). They've made the playoffs 16 times in 22 seasons and have played in the WNBA finals four times — but have never won a title. They seem primed to take advantage of Advertisement Well, it's not that simple. Here's what to know as Connecticut kicks off the 2025 campaign. 🎟️ Attendance is waaaaaaaaay up Last week, the Sun announced it sold out of season ticket memberships for the first time. They play at Mohegan Sun Arena, located on the grounds of the casino with the same name. They perennially draw well, and blew their average attendance out of the water in 2024 (as did many teams that benefited from the excitement over Indiana Fever guard Advertisement Safe to say, the interest is there. But will fans have patience? Because … ⚒️ The roster is undergoing a rebuild This offseason, the Sun transformed — and not necessarily in a good way. First, head coach Stephanie White left and New head coach Rachid Meziane was left with Marina Mabrey, who promptly requested a trade (it was denied). The Sun signed UConn legend and WNBA vet Tina Charles, 36, and traded with the Dallas Wings for Jacy Sheldon. The trio will be complemented by rookies Saniya Rivers, whom the Sun drafted out of North Carolina State with the No. 8 pick, and Aneesah Morrow, an LSU standout who has yet to play because of injury, as Connecticut tries to keep its six-year streak of semifinal appearances alive. But it will be tough. The Sun are 0-2 to begin the season. And it's particularly important in 2025 because … 💰 It's possible the Sun could be sold — or moved Last week, news broke that the Sun's owners had hired investment bank Allen & Co. to look into 'all options to strategically invest in the team.' Simply put: They're exploring if they can get more investors or if it makes more financial sense to sell — which could mean that the Sun would relocate. The Sun have one of the most unique ownership structures in professional sports. The franchise is owned by the Mohegan Tribe, which purchased the team more than two decades ago after it folded in Orlando. ESPN reports the tribe helped the Sun become the first WNBA franchise to turn a profit — they've been great stewards. Advertisement But it costs a lot more to be competitive than it used to. It's an arms race — teams are building out their facilities at a rapid clip to meet player needs. In March, the defending champion New York Liberty announced plans to build an As investment in the WNBA soars, can the tribe and the Sun keep up? If not, is it possible a move to Boston is in the future? The interest is certainly there, as the Globe's Gary Washburn We'll get a glimpse of the Sun here in Boston this July when Connecticut will face Clark and the Fever at TD Garden. I'll be there, and I bet you will want to be, too. But be ready to pay up: Tickets on the popular Loge level were starting at around $400 each on the resale market as of yesterday. It's one of the most expensive tickets in the league, according to Vivid Seats. The Sun clearly want to be considered Advertisement 🧩 7 Across: POINTS OF INTEREST In this photo illustration, an image of Pope Leo XIV is shown with the headstone of the pope's grandparents. Globe Staff/Jari Honora/Associated Press Boston and New England Karen Read: Shards of plastic found at the crime scene Making do: With White Stadium still under construction, Boston Legacy FC, the city's new professional soccer team, will Ties that bind: Globe reporter Julian E.J. Sorapuru, a Black Creole who grew up in a New Orleans Catholic family, shares a family tree From the ashes: After a fire gutted a beloved oyster bar, Rhode Islanders — including the state's senior US senator — Guard dog: Two coyotes attacked a dog in Brookline this week. Here's Trump administration Judge snub: A federal judge said the administration 'unquestionably' violated his order to not deport migrants to third countries without due process. ( Landing the plane: The Pentagon formally accepted a luxury jet from Qatar to use as Air Force One, despite the Constitution's prohibition on foreign gifts. When an NBC reporter asked about it, Trump said the network ' Fact check: Trump, meeting with South Africa's president in the Oval Office, baselessly accused the country of committing genocide against white farmers. ( Price hike: Nike will soon raise the retail prices of some footwear and apparel to offset the costs of Trump's tariffs. ( Unbanned: The US Naval Academy library restored most of the nearly 400 books it had removed over references to race and gender. But Air Force libraries pulled other books for review. ( Trump vs. Harvard: Decades ago, the president swore revenge on the Pritzker family. Now Penny Pritzker is helping Dubious honor: No state has lost more in canceled National Science Foundation research grants Self-deporting: The Chavarría family came to Vermont legally last year from Nicaragua. Because of Trump's immigration policies, Local impact: Vermont's $3.6 billion dairy industry relies on undocumented labor. After several high-profile deportations, some wonder how it The Nation and the World Another congressional death: Representative Gerry Connolly, a Boston-born Virginia Democrat, died of cancer at 75. He's the third House Democrat to die in office since March. ( Acquired: Jony Ive, who helped design Apple's iPhone, will join OpenAI to help the company develop AI-powered computers. ( Ship of state: A new North Korean destroyer was damaged during its launching ceremony, an accident that Kim Jong-un called a 'criminal act.' ( BESIDE THE POINT By Teresa Hanafin 📚 Summer stories: JPMorgan Chase released its annual list of beach reads for the rich, including books on happiness, resilience, economics, and AI. ( 💰 Speaking of wealth: Mark Cuban says the $33 million he invested in businesses during his 15 years on 'Shark Tank' is worth $250 million. ( 📺 Family drama: 'The Better Sister' with Elizabeth Banks is a murder mystery with an 'operatic' sweep. 🛌 Vacationing in Spain? Be careful if you plan to book an Airbnb. The government ordered the short-term rental company to remove 65,935 listings it says violate rules designed to mitigate rising housing costs. ( ⛽️ From fuel to food: A rather sad former gas station in Jamaica Plain 🎮 No tryouts: An actors union is angry that the maker of video game 'Fortnite' didn't negotiate before adding an AI-voiced Darth Vader. ( 🍡 Between the drops: If the rain lets up this holiday weekend, 📖 Booker Prize: A collection of 12 short stories about the everyday struggles of women in southern India won the international award for fiction. ( Thanks for reading Starting Point. Advertisement This newsletter was edited and produced by ❓ Have a question for the team? Email us at ✍🏼 If someone sent you this newsletter, you can 📬 Delivered Monday through Friday. Katie McInerney can be reached at
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Connecticut Sun owners reportedly exploring a sale of the franchise ahead of 2025 season
The Connecticut Sun are set to change hands. The WNBA franchise has hired an investment bank to explore the sale of the franchise, Sportico reported on Monday afternoon. A timeline for such a sale, or who it may be sold to, remains to be seen. Advertisement Mohegan Sun, which is a subsidiary of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, has owned the Sun since 2002. They purchased the former Orlando Miracle team after it folded and rebranded it as the Sun by moving the franchise to Uncasville. That made the Mohegan Tribe the first Native American tribe to own a professional sports team in the United States, and the first non-NBA owner to own a WNBA team in league history. The tribe paid $10 million as an expansion fee for the move. According to Sportico, the Sun were valued at about $80 million last year — which was among the lowest valued in the league. Only the Dallas Wings and Atlanta Dream were worth less. By comparison, the Las Vegas Aces were valued at $140 million to lead the league. They are one of four clubs worth more than $100 million. It's unclear how much the Sun will be sold for. The Dream were the last club to be sold, though they were purchased for around $10 million. Values of both WNBA teams and the league have skyrocketed since then, and the league has expanded significantly. The newest team, the Golden State Valkyries, paid a $50 million expansion fee. Advertisement The Sun have been a dominant force in the WNBA in recent years, though the franchise has yet to win a championship despite making four trips to the WNBA Finals — two of which came in the last six seasons. The club went 28-12 last season under coach Stephanie White, though she was fired at the end of the year. The team has since hired Rachid Meziane to replace her. The Sun took both LSU forward Aneesah Morrow and NC State forward Saniya Rivers in the first round of the WNBA Draft earlier this spring. The Sun will open the 2025 season on May 18 against the Washington Mystics.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former UConn Player Returns to WNBA After 3 Long Years
The WNBA regular season is right around the corner, and teams are finalizing their rosters for what they hope will be a successful 2025 campaign. Preseason games have offered early insight into team dynamics, though injuries have already started to impact depth charts. These developments have opened the door for late training camp opportunities —something 32-year-old Bria Hartley didn't expect but is now embracing. The veteran guard, who entered the WNBA in 2014, has had a long and winding career. At 5-foot-8, Hartley brings experience, resilience and leadership to the court. Advertisement The Connecticut Sun announced they've signed Hartley to a training camp contract. While it doesn't guarantee a spot on the final roster, it does give her the chance to prove she still belongs. "Welcome back to Connecticut." "We have signed Bria Hartley to training camp contract." Hartley will need to make an impression quickly, as the Sun recently wrapped up their preseason schedule with a 94-86 win over the New York Liberty on Friday. Connecticut Sun Head Coach Rachid Terada-Imagn Images A native of New York, Hartley starred at North Babylon High School before committing to Geno Auriemma's powerhouse UConn program from 2010 to 2014. She played in 153 games, averaging 13 points per game over her career. Advertisement Her senior season was her most productive, averaging 16.2 points across 40 games. She helped lead the Huskies to back-to-back NCAA titles in 2013 and 2014. She was drafted by the Seattle Storm but was immediately traded to the Washington Mystics. In her rookie year, Hartley averaged 9.7 points over 34 games and earned a spot on the WNBA All-Rookie Team. Hartley has since played for several WNBA teams, including the New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun, where she briefly appeared in three games during the 2022 season. She most recently played overseas with Galatasaray in the Turkish Women's Basketball Super League during the 2023-24 season. Her return to the WNBA is a testament to her determination and love for the game. Whether she makes the Sun's final roster remains to be seen, but Hartley's comeback story is already a compelling one. Advertisement Connecticut will host the Washington Mystics for their 2025 season opener on Sunday, May 18. Related: Caitlin Clark Sends Message to Former Teammate After Heartbreaking News Related: Paige Bueckers' Insane Pass to WNBA Star Left Fans in Disbelief
