The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. Photo: Lorianne DiSabato

Connecticut | Public Relations

Mohegan Tribe extends partnership with Basketball Hall of Fame

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

The gaming facility owned by the Mohegan Tribe has extended its partnership with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame amid growing competition in New England.

Mohegan Sun will continue to host basketball games at its Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut as part of the 10-year deal. The facility is also retaining its title as the "exclusive" host for key Hall of Fame events, including its induction celebration.

“We’re proud to have been a part of so many of these great memories and are truly thrilled that it’s going to continue well into the future," Ray Pineault, the president and general manager of Mohegan Sun, said in a press release on Sunday.

The New London Day pointed out that the announcement came just days after the Hall of Fame announced a partnership with one of Mohegan Sun's biggest rivals. MGM Springfield, a commercial casino that's due to open in Massachusetts later this year, will work together for five years to attract more people to their respective properties.

The Hall of Fame is located in Springfield, not far from MGM's facility. It's also not far from a site in Connecticut where the Mohegan Tribe and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation want to open a new casino.

MGM has been working hard to derail the plan, both at the state and federal level. The firm is also seeking to participate in a lawsuit in federal court that could move it forward.

The tribes had hoped to open their casino by the end of this year but barely started demolition work in early March. MGM Springfield has ramped up hiring efforts in anticipation of a September opening.

Read More on the Story:
Mohegan Sun, MGM both partnering with Basketball Hall of Fame (The New London Day April 2, 2018)
MGM Launches Biggest Employment Push For Springfield Casino (The Hartford Courant April 2, 2018)

An Opinion:
Dan Haar: MGM willing to negotiate with tribes, state (The Connecticut Post April 3, 2018)