Mohegan CEO Ray Pineault’s phone was ringing off the hook in the early days of May.
Executives, cohorts, and friends were clamoring to get tickets to watch Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark’s pro debut against the Connecticut Sun, owned by the Mohegan tribe, a Native American group managing and owning entertainment resorts in the United States and Canada. The May 14 season opener sold out faster than any home game in the Sun’s 25-year franchise history, disappointing many. It was one of 11 sellouts that the WNBA franchise had this season, including Wednesday’s series-clinching 87-81 win over Clark and the Fever in the first round of the playoffs.
“Kudos to her, she’s a fantastic player,” Pineault said. “You can see the statistics. But we also have fantastic players on our team who have shown their mettle, strength, and competitiveness on the court.”
The Sun, experiencing year-to-year increases in nearly all business categories from group sales to TV viewership, aim to capture their first WNBA championship with the momentum from the league’s banner year. The Mohegan Sun Arena, operated by the Mohegan tribe, reported the highest quarterly net revenues in company history last month, aided by Inspire, a new $5 billion resort at Incheon International Airport in South Korea.
The Sun have a symbiotic relationship with the company’s flagship casino resort, offering various entertainment options. The franchise is led by WNBA All-Star Alyssa Thomas and Most Improved Player DiJonai Carrington, attracting a strong fan base to the isolated resort destination.
The Sun, the first profitable team in the WNBA, have come a long way since being purchased in 2003. Despite initial opposition, the Sun have proven themselves in the league and continue to build on their success.
Mohegan continues to innovate to attract fans to games and cross-promote against its other assets. The Sun have faced challenges in recruiting players due to their small market size; however, they have found unique ways to appeal to potential talent.
The Sun’s journey to success has set an example for the entire league, proving the viability of the business model in the WNBA. As the league looks towards the future, opportunities for continued growth and success remain.
