Sun’s Pricey Move to Houston
The Connecticut Sun are packing their bags for Houston, courtesy of the Fertitta family, those Rockets-owning folks. ESPN spilled the beans on this $300 million deal, a record for the WNBA, without a relocation fee. The Sun will shine in Uncasville for one last season in 2026 before they hit the road.
Houston’s been on the WNBA’s radar for a while, with the league eyeing it for expansion. The Board of Governors still needs to rubber-stamp this move, but an official nod is expected Monday. The Sun will likely resurrect the legendary Comets name, a nod to Houston’s past glory days.
WNBA’s Love Affair with NBA Owners
The WNBA’s cozying up to NBA owners, with the Rockets’ Fertitta family leading the charge. The Mohegan Tribe, who snagged the Sun in 2003, are passing the torch. They were trailblazers, being the first non-NBA owners and the first Native American tribe to own a pro team. But now, it’s time for a change.
The Sun’s sale isn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. It kicked off in fall 2024, hunting for investment options. Rockets ownership wasn’t the only suitor, but they upped their bid to match the $250 million expansion fee, winning the Sun’s heart.
Blocked Deals and New Beginnings
Previously, the Sun almost had a new home in Boston, thanks to a $325 million offer from a group led by ex-Celtics minority owner Stephen Pagliuca. But the WNBA wasn’t having it, insisting that relocation is their call, not the team’s. Houston’s prior expansion vetting gave it an edge over Boston.
Other suitors included a local group led by former Bucks minority owner Marc Lasry, who also waved $325 million around, hoping to move the Sun to Hartford. Even Connecticut funds were considered for a minority stake. But in the end, the Sun’s history of playoff appearances couldn’t keep them in the league’s smallest market.
Quick Facts
- •💡 The Sun franchise is being sold to the Fertitta family for $300 million.
- •💡 The team will relocate to Houston in 2027 after one final season in Connecticut.
- •💡 Houston had been considered for WNBA expansion, giving it priority over other cities.
- •💡 The Mohegan Tribe was the first non-NBA and Native American tribe to own a pro team.
- •💡 The Board of Governors’ approval is still pending, with an announcement expected Monday.