Last month we reported that the Philadelphia Wings were looking at Connecticut as a possible relocation and on Wednesday it appears the franchise will make the move official. TheDay.com reported on Monday afternoon that Mohegan Sun, who owns the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA, will announce the Wings as their newest franchise on Wednesday.
Our own sources also confirmed this report. The Wings announced last month that they were moving from Philadelphia after 26 years in the same city and the last standing original NLL team. Mohegan Sun Arena holds 10,000 seats and was last used in an NLL game in the 2002 all star game.
This move reflects the league’s new philosophy seemingly with small arenas. The last franchise relocation was from Washington state to Vancouver last year into a small arena as well. The Wings had played at the Wells Fargo Center, also the home of the Philadelphia Flyers and Philadelphia 76ers.
One source indicated that the Wings tried to sell the team to the Flyers but it ultimately was not worked out. The Calgary Flames were the last NHL team to buy an NLL franchise in 2011.
The last NLL team in New England was the Boston Blazers which lasted from 2009-2011. It is unclear if the team will keep the Wings name or save it for a potential Philadelphia franchise or if the club will take on the New England moniker.
