Sources: Sun sold, will relocate to Houston in '27
Why it matters: A record-breaking sale and relocation shake up the WNBA landscape, bringing a historic franchise back to Houston.
- ESPN sources confirmed the sale of the Connecticut Sun to the Fertitta family for $300 million, a record WNBA price, with relocation to Houston in 2027.
- PaperCity Magazine first reported the sale, which is pending WNBA Board of Governors approval and is expected to be officially announced Monday.
- WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert previously highlighted Houston and Tilman Fertitta as a priority for expansion or relocation, indicating strong league interest in the city's return.
- The Sun will play their final season in Connecticut in 2026, having been owned by the Mohegan Tribe since 2003, making them the league's first non-NBA and Native American owners.
- Rockets ownership outbid other parties, including a group led by Stephen Pagliuca that offered $325 million to move the team to Boston, a deal the WNBA blocked, prioritizing cities like Houston that had already gone through the expansion vetting process.
The Connecticut Sun WNBA franchise is reportedly being sold for a record $300 million to the Fertitta family, owners of the Houston Rockets, and will relocate to Houston in 2027, bringing the WNBA back to the city under the likely Comets name. This move, which follows the WNBA blocking a higher-priced Boston-based sale, aligns with the league's interest in Houston and its push for more teams with NBA ownership.
