Category: Mohegan

For weeks, discussions of sports in Connecticut have largely revolved around one question: Will the Connecticut Sun, the state’s foremost major league team, stay in the state?

The news last month that the WNBA team, which has been owned by the Mohegan Tribe since 2003, might be sold to Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca for $325 million sparked a flood of concern and an equally intense flurry of activity.

That concern turned into outrage as the proposed Boston sale and a separate counteroffer, which would keep the team in state but move it to Hartford, were both ignored by the WNBA as it considers sending the team elsewhere. U.S. Senator, and former state attorney general, Richard Blumenthal went so far as to raise antitrust concerns.

State officials swiftly launched a campaign calling for the Sun to stay in Connecticut and urging residents to sign a petition to help make the case to the league.

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Connecticut officials are also considering a plan that would see the state use pension funds to purchase a minority stake in the Sun in order to keep the team. While the proposal has received support from Gov. Ned Lamont, the possible use of pension funds has drawn criticism from both legislative Republicans and unions; Both argue there are better uses for the money.

“There needs to be structure and fiscal responsibility and a level of respect for taxpayer money and for public employees’ money,” Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding, R-Brookfield, said at a press conference last week.

So far everything is still in the air. The WNBA has not made a decision, and much of the public debate is based on potential situations rather than any agreed upon plan. There is no clear timetable for when a decision on the Sun’s fate will…

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The rejections keep coming for developers who spent years cobbling together proposals for multibillion-dollar casino projects in New York City.

Courtesy of Soloviev Group/Negativ

A rendering of Soloviev Group’s Freedom Plaza casino proposal, with a partially underground casino, public space and two residential towers

A community board voted 4-2 Monday morning to reject the $11.2B Freedom Plaza proposal from developer Soloviev Group and its gaming partner, Mohegan. The binding rejection was the third in the past week for a Manhattan casino bid, following votes last week that took pitches from SL Green in Times Square and Silverstein Properties near Hell’s Kitchen off the table.

Freedom Plaza was proposed on Soloviev’s 6.3-acre undeveloped site to the south of the United Nations Plaza along the East River. The developer planned a 295K SF casino, more than 1,200 hotel rooms, an art gallery, a multistory food hall, a spa, a public park and more than 1,400 parking spaces on the site.

It also said it would build more than 1,000 apartments, initially promising that half would be permanently affordable but last week pledging to designate all the units as affordable housing.

“We are proud of our partnership with Mohegan and the vision that informed this project that would have revitalized Midtown East,” Soloviev Group CEO Michael Hershman said in a statement. “Manhattan is the undisputed capital of the world, and it deserved a fully integrated resort that would have attracted visitors while serving the needs of its community.”

The Soloviev Group bid was the last remaining proposal in Manhattan. The sole proposal from Brooklyn, from developer Thor Equities, also appears doomed. 

Three appointees to the community advisory committee to consider Thor’s bid on Coney Island have signaled they plan to reject the proposal at a vote scheduled for…

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The Connecticut Sun struggled during the regular season. On the court they only won 11 games with 33 losses. This irregular season for the team was drowned out by not making the playoffs for the first time in nine years, and now they face a potential relocation, which could cause even more problems for the team down the road. 

The team is currently located in Uncasville, Connecticut, where they play at the Mohegan Sun Arena. The arena is owned by the Mohegan Tribe. A potential sale to a Boston-based investment group could shake up some previous promises made by the league. 

A prior agreement had the team secured to play at their home arena through the 2026 season, but now with a possible sale on the horizon, the team could be moved to Boston, or even somewhere else in Connecticut, causing a shakeup to an already shaky team in the offseason. 

The Boston-led group looking to buy into the Sun is a group led by Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca. He’s made a record-breaking offer of $325 million to buy the team, with plans to move them by 2027 and build a new practice facility. 

Eric Canha-Imagn Images

With all the uncertainty, the team has agreed to play the 2026 season at their current home area in Uncasville, but even if the Boston sale doesn’t go through, change could still be in the cards for the Sun. A Connecticut-led group is looking for some team real estate and a rival proposal from state leaders has revealed a potential option of moving the team to Hartford. 

This move may be considered the best if there has to be a sale, as Connecticut fans could keep their team in its home state. Any movement prior to the 2026…

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Disney on Ice’s newest show, “Disney on Ice Presents Jump In,” is coming to the Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre Twp. from Jan. 8 to 11.

Of the several Disney on Ice shows currently touring, it is the only place audiences can see Anxiety, alongside Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Anger, and Fear from “Inside Out 2”, as well as multiple new characters from ”Moana 2.”

Tickets begin at $22.50, which includes taxes and fees.

Disney On Ice first played the arena in 2001.

“Over its 25-year span locally, the Mohegan Arena has welcomed nearly 700,000 local guests to celebrate the power of music and dreams, bravery and adventure, strength and courage, and the timeless magic that defines Disney,” Justin Topa, the arena director of marketing, said by email.

There are seven show times: Thursday, Jan. 8, at 7 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 10 at 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 11 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

A preshow upgrade experience with Moana and Mickey is available.

Over 50 characters will be on skates, including Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Stitch, “Toy Story” and “Frozen” characters, the Madrigal family of “Encanto” and princesses including Ariel, Jasmine, Rapunzel, and Tiana.

The show becomes interactive when Mickey and friends ask the audience to dance to the “Hoedown Throwdown” with Woody, Jessie, and Buzz Lightyear, and help Officer Judy Hopps track down Nick Wilde as he hides beneath the giant orange traffic cones of ”Zootopia.” Songs will include: “Let It Go” from ”Frozen;” “Try Everything” from ”Zootopia;” “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from “Encanto” and “Get Lost” from “Moana 2.”

Aerial performers take the stunts above the ice, with Ariel soaring to “Kiss the Girl” and Rapunzel’s hair brought to life by flowing silks.

Tickets are available at the…

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BRISTOL — Local teacher Dr. Karlene Richardson has published a book on “maintaining student engagement and empowerment.”

Superintendent of Schools Iris White shared the news of Richardson’s book being published as part of her Superintendent’s Weekly Update. Richardson’s 174-page book, “Bridging the Gap: Jaw-dropping Approaches In Maintaining Engagement” was independently published Sept. 12 and is available now for purchase on Amazon.

“I believe that my role as a teacher is meeting students where they are, challenging them to rise higher, preparing them for college, their trade, and their future, and most importantly, letting my students know that I genuinely care,” Richardson said. “I believe when students feel seen, supported, and believed in, they will exceed even their own expectations.”

White congratulated Richardson, who is a health occupations teacher at Bristol Central High School and Bristol Eastern High School. She said that the book details lessons that Richardson learned as she transitioned from a college professor to a high school teacher.

“(The book) chronicles her journey in learning to maintain student engagement and empowerment,” White said. “Student engagement and empowerment are at the heart of our mission to teach and learn with passion and purpose. Dr. Richardson’s achievement reflects both remarkable professional dedication and a deep commitment to ensuring that students have a voice and feel empowered in their learning. BPS is fortunate to have such passionate and innovative educators, and this publication will no doubt inspire colleagues and students alike.”

White thanked Richardson for “helping to lead the way.”

According to the summary on Amazon, “the purpose of this book is to offer insights, strategies, and a deepened understanding to educators.” It is geared toward those making a shift from higher education to secondary education. It is meant to be a guide on how to “foster inclusive, dynamic, and supportive learning environments that address the varied…

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Freedom Plaza, an $11 billion casino and entertainment project proposed along Manhattan’s East Side, was voted down Monday morning by its community advisory committee (CAC), ending the last remaining bid for a casino in Manhattan.

The six-member panel voted 4-2 against the proposal, falling short of the required two-thirds majority needed to advance the bid for state-level consideration. The rejection makes Freedom Plaza the third Manhattan-based casino project to be turned down within a week, officially eliminating the borough from contention for one of the three downstate casino licenses expected to be awarded later this year.

The Freedom Plaza project, led by Soloviev Group in partnership with Mohegan Gaming, would have transformed over six acres of land near the United Nations headquarters between East 38th and 41st Streets.The proposed development included a casino, two hotel towers, residential buildings, retail space, restaurants, public parkland, a community center, a daycare facility, and a Museum of Democracy.

Voting against the proposal were CAC chair Sandra McKee, along with Reshma Patel, Celeste Royo, and Jasmine Narula. Voting in favor were Nichols Silbersack and Jennifer Sta. Ines.

McKee offered a brief statement following the vote: “I’d like to thank everybody who participated in the process. It’s been a very robust review of all the work that’s been done by the community and the applicants. I vote nay.”

Despite submitting several last-minute revisions just days before the vote, including a commitment to making all 1,080 proposed residential units permanently affordable, the amendments did not sway the majority of the committee. The affordable housing pledge was described by some as the most significant concession yet among all casino applicants in the race.

Freedom Plaza now joins Caesars Palace Times Square and Avenir Hudson Yards, both of which…

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Local Advisory Committee Rejects Manhattan Casino Proposal

Manhattan’s hopes of hosting its first casino have been dashed after a key community group voted against the latest casino proposal for the borough. This decision effectively ends years of discussions about introducing a Las Vegas-style resort to one of New York City’s busiest business and tourist hubs.

Community Advisory Committee Blocks $11 Billion Casino Project Near United Nations

On September 22, the Community Advisory Committee turned down the “Freedom Plaza” project with a vote of 4-2. This ambitious $11 billion plan aimed to develop six acres just south of the United Nations headquarters. The bid was presented by the Soloviev Group alongside Connecticut-based gaming company Mohegan. Despite last-minute commitments to build more than 1,000 affordable housing units and promise community reinvestment, the proposal failed to win the committee’s approval.

This rejection came shortly after two other major Manhattan casino proposals were also dismissed. These included a Times Square casino backed by Caesars Entertainment and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, and a Hudson Yards project from Related Companies and Wynn Resorts. With all three plans denied, Manhattan has been eliminated from the race for up to three downstate casino licenses.

Local officials and residents voiced strong opposition, citing concerns over increased traffic congestion, public safety, and potential declines in neighborhood quality of life. Many expressed that locating a casino so close to the UN complex would overwhelm infrastructure, particularly during large-scale events like the General Assembly.

Manhattan Falls Out of Casino License Competition, Focus Shifts to Other Boroughs

Michael Hershman, leader of the Soloviev Group, argued that Manhattan needed a casino resort of this scale to stimulate tourism and job growth while addressing community needs. Similarly, Ray Pineault from Mohegan expressed disappointment, feeling the evaluation overlooked the social and economic benefits their project could provide.

…

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Breaking news about deals, development, data and more.

Assurance acquires 3 in Colorado. Salt Lake City, Utah-based Assurance Hospitality and Affiliates has acquired three Marriott hotels in Longmont, Colorado: the 78-key Courtyard Boulder Longmont, the 90-key SpringHill Suites Boulder Longmont and the 84-key Residence Inn Boulder Longmont, along with The Meeting Place, a 1,860-square-foot meeting and event space, from an institutional seller for an undisclosed amount. The financing included two conventional loans totaling $10.2 million and a $6.2 million SBA-backed loan, according to Hunter Hotel Advisors, which facilitated the transaction.

NYC casino plans rejected. Plans to build New York City’s first full-service casino in Manhattan may have been put on hold for good as a local panel on Monday rejected the last of three Manhattan proposals that had been among those vying for a new state license to operate a Las Vegas-style casino in the lucrative New York City market. The proposal, a six-acre project near the United Nations headquarters dubbed “Freedom Plaza” and operated by Mohegan, the gaming company run by Connecticut’s Mohegan Tribe, was denied by a state-commissioned community advisory committee on a 4-2 vote. Five proposals remain in the race for up to three gaming licenses. Among them is a proposed Bally’s casino on a Bronx public golf course once run by President Donald Trump’s company, a gambling hall envisioned for Coney Island’s boardwalk in Brooklyn, and a Hard Rock casino proposed next to Citi Field in Queens, where the New York Mets play.

ESA sells 3 in the Philadelphia area. Extended Stay America has sold three Philadelphia-area hotels for more than $18.7 million combined, according to a story in the Philadelphia Business Journal. Newark, Delaware-based Niti Group purchased the 101-key Extended Stay America Suites Philadelphia Exton for more than…

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Soloviev Group and Mohegan amend application to deliver an unprecedented response to the housing crisis facing New York City residents.

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Freedom Plaza, the bold $11.2 billion civic and cultural vision for Manhattan’s East Side led by Soloviev Group and Mohegan, today announced a landmark commitment to make 1,080 residential units on site permanently affordable. Reinforced by a legally binding restrictive declaration, this positions Freedom Plaza to deliver the largest number of newly constructed affordable homes in Manhattan’s Central Core in more than a decade.

“We are prepared to answer the call from elected officials that New York City is in desperate need of affordable housing. The heartfelt testimony of neighbors – particularly young people – and the thoughtful input of community and civic leaders reinforces this decision,” said Michael Hershman, CEO of Soloviev Group. “Soloviev and Mohegan believe a gaming license is a privilege and an opportunity to leverage its full economic power to deliver social, civic, and community benefits that would not otherwise be possible.”

According to Ray Pineault, CEO of Mohegan, “Housing is the foundation of stability, and this commitment represents our unwavering investment in New York’s future. Honoring our values and culture, we are proud to join Soloviev Group in delivering a fully affordable, inclusive community that will enrich Manhattan’s East Side for generations to come.”

“By making every single home affordable, Soloviev and Mohegan are addressing New York City’s housing crisis with meaningful action,” said Jamie A. Smarr, President of the NYC Housing Partnership. “I have spent my career advocating for affordable housing, and I did not think I would ever see this type of commitment from private development. This will ensure that working families, seniors, and future generations will have access to quality…

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