Connecticut Sun Primary Logo 2003 - 2020
The WNBA came into existence in 1997, playing their first season with just eight teams. The next year, they expanded to ten teams, and the following year expanded again to 12 teams. It was during that third WNBA season of 1999 when the Orlando Miracle joined the league. A sister team to the Orlando Magic (Magic and Miracle), the team didn’t fare well in the relatively small sports market of Orlando and by 2002 they were nearly bankrupt. Instead of folding, the franchise was sold to the Mohegan Indian tribe in Connecticut and renamed the Connecticut Sun. This marked the first time in major sports history that a team was owned by a Native American tribe. The Mohegan tribe are owners of Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. The Sun play their games at the Mohegan Sun Arena, which technically sits on tribal land and is not part of Connecticut.
Since moving the franchise to Connecticut, the Sun have had moderate success. In their 17 seasons, they have made the playoffs eight times and won three conference championships. They have yet to win a WNBA championship, however. The Sun also holds the WNBA record for the best regular-season record, going 26-8 in 2005 thanks in part to their 7’2” center Margo Dydek.
Connecticut Sun Primary Logo 2021 - Present
The Connecticut Sun have had the same primary logo since relocating their franchise from Orlando in 2003. But that will change when they take court in 2021 after unveiling their newly redesigned logo. Their old logo was a sunburst with a WNBA orange and white basketball in the center. It had a blue scroll with the word CONNECTICUT and below that in large orange-red letters the word SUN. On the blue scroll was also a small square with rounded corners, similar to the Mohegan Sun casino’s logo. Their new logo for 2021 also incorporates the square with rounded corners imagery. The new logo features a large orange-red colored “C” with sunbursts coming from it rising over a semi-circle basketball. The basketball also represents the earth, with the “C” rising over it like a rising sun.
The team hit a home run with their new logo, to mix sports cliches. The new logo incorporates the rising sun imagery nicely with the basketball/earth. It also pays homage to the Mohegan Indians with the rounded square overall shape.
The Connecticut Sun have made it to the WNBA playoffs four straight years under coach Curt Miller, including going to the WNBA Finals in 2019. With a talent-filled roster and a stylish new logo, the Sun look to remain competitive for years to come.
See the Connecticut Sun logo history and team history
