WNBA’s Connecticut Sun Sold to Houston Rockets Owner for $300M, Team Moving in 2027

The Connecticut Sun professional women’s basketball team has been purchased by Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta for $300 million. The franchise will relocate to Houston in 2027 and revive the Comets name, ending the Sun’s 23-year presence in Connecticut.

A major shake-up is coming to women’s professional basketball as the Connecticut Sun franchise has been sold to Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta in a $300 million transaction, with plans to relocate the team to Houston by 2027.

An individual with knowledge of the transaction confirmed the details to The Associated Press on Friday, requesting anonymity since no official announcement has been made.

The sale and relocation must still receive approval from the WNBA Board of Governors. Connecticut will host the Sun for one final season before the franchise makes its move to Texas, where it will operate under the Comets banner.

The relocation will bring to a close the franchise’s 23-year chapter in New England, which began when the team relocated from Orlando in 2003.

Houston emerged as a serious contender for the franchise last year, ultimately increasing their offer to $250 million — matching the expansion fees paid by Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia for new teams.

The Sun had received a competing $325 million proposal from a group headed by Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca, which would have brought the team to Boston. However, the WNBA effectively prevented that transaction by stating that “relocation decisions are made by the WNBA Board of Governors and not by individual teams.”

League officials further explained that other franchises had completed the expansion process and held priority over Boston.

During a press conference announcing three new expansion teams, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert indicated that Houston was next in line.

Friday’s development provides the franchise with certainty as they prepare for potential free agent signings next month.

The Houston Comets hold a special place in WNBA history as one of the league’s founding franchises, capturing the first four consecutive championships from 1997 through 2000. That franchise ceased operations following the 2008 season.

The most recent WNBA franchise relocation occurred in 2017 when the Las Vegas Aces moved from San Antonio.