Tina Charles has accomplished a lot throughout her time in the WNBA, accumulating the second-most career points (7,696) and the most career rebounds of all-time (4,014).
An eight-time All-Star for three different franchises, Charles returned to the Sun this offseason, nearly 11 years after being traded from Connecticut in 2014 to the New York Liberty.
After being drafted by the Sun No. 1 overall in 2010 and winning the Rookie of the Year Award, Charles was a runner-up in the 2011 MVP race before winning in 2012.
Understandably so, Charles looks back fondly on her time spent in Connecticut, having also won back-to-back national titles with Geno Auriemma and the UConn Huskies in 2009 and 2010.
During the Sun’s national media availability following Tuesday’s practice, Charles expressed her mixed feelings regarding the Mohegan Tribe’s reported interest to sell the franchise.
“It’s bittersweet for me – I got drafted, I had great years here, collegiately and professionally,” the former Husky said. “But again, you always want what’s best for the WNBA.
“That’s what I hold my hat on. Either way it goes, I don’t think the memories (or) the fans will be lost. It’s always (going to) be here and it’s always (going to) be known so we’ll see what happens.”
While Sun president Jennifer Rizzotti confirmed during the Sun’s practice that the team is interested in exploring ‘strategic investment’ opportunities, but pushed back on the notion of the Mohegan Tribe selling the franchise.
From left to right: Morgan Tuck (Connecticut Sun General Manager) welcomes the return of Tina Charles (middle) to the Sun alongside Jennifer Rizzotti (Connecticut Sun President). Photo courtesy of the Connecticut Sun.Connecticut Sun
Rizzotti spoke in the national media availability as well to address further questions on Sportico‘s initial report on this development.
“Our ownership group, (the Mohegan Tribe), is exploring all options to strategically invest in the team,” Rizzotti said. “They’ve been committed to the team’s success for over two decades and I can assure you they’re not the only ownership group that’s thinking about how to keep up with this explosion of interest and excitement around the WNBA.
“Whether it’s facilities or arena size, just continuing to be able to pour in the way that they have over the last couple of decades. So I think as responsible business owners, they’ve made the decision to be strategic about exploring options and that’s exactly what I told the team – there hasn’t been a decision made other than that they want to make sure, as Tina (Charles) said, that they’re doing what’s best for the organization as well as the WNBA.”
Rizzotti acknowledged that while she is not privy to each conversation being had at the ownership level surrounding the exploration of these investment opportunities, she noted that these discussions have been ongoing for quite some time.
“These conversations don’t happen overnight or in one day, the questions about team investment or practice facilities,” Rizzotti said. “These are ongoing conversation we have (had) over the last two years.
“There has been constant communication – we’re not involved in the decision making or what happens with a team ownership or investment, but we certainly are part of the process when it comes to identifying strategic areas where we can improve and been getting feed back on how we can continue to elevate player experience in our market and making sure that we’re providing the best scenario that we can to stay championship contenders… as we have been over the last six seasons.”
Rizzotti also expressed her support for how the Mohegan Tribe have done as franchise owners since 2003.
“There’s a reason we’ve been good for two decades, that we’ve made the postseason 17 out of 21 years and that this the first year we’ve really had a lot of turnover,” Rizzotti said. “So I think the narrative has gotten lost here, that (Connecticut) has been a desirable location to play.
“It’s a great (place) of living and a lot of people have wanted to build their careers or end their careers here, so I wanted that to be clear that we’re (going to) pour into this franchise as long as it’s here.
