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Connecticut Sun Sold for Record $300M, Relocating to Houston
WNBA blocked higher bids to keep the franchise in the league's preferred city
Mar. 29, 2026 at 4:40pm
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After months of controversy, the Connecticut Sun have been sold to the Fertitta family for a record $300 million. The WNBA blocked higher bids from other ownership groups that would have relocated the team to Boston or Hartford, instead favoring the Fertittas' offer to move the franchise to Houston. The Sun will remain in Connecticut for the 2026 season before making the move to Houston, where they are expected to take on the name of the league's former Houston Comets team.
Why it matters
This sale highlights the WNBA's control over franchise relocation decisions, even when higher bids are on the table. The league's preference for the Houston market over other potential destinations like Boston or Hartford raises questions about the league's priorities and its treatment of existing markets and fan bases.
The details
The Mohegan Tribe, which has owned the Connecticut Sun since 2003, had received offers worth $325 million from ownership groups led by former NBA owners Steve Pagliuca and Marc Lasry. However, the WNBA blocked those deals, which would have relocated the team to Boston and Hartford respectively. Instead, the league facilitated the $300 million sale to the Fertitta family, who own the NBA's Houston Rockets. The Sun will remain in Connecticut for the 2026 season before moving to Houston, where they are expected to take on the name of the WNBA's former Houston Comets franchise.
- The WNBA blocked the higher bids in mid-2025.
- The Fertitta family's $300 million purchase of the Connecticut Sun was finalized in March 2026.
- The Sun will play their final season in Connecticut in 2026 before relocating to Houston for the 2027 season.
The players
Mohegan Tribe
The Native American tribe that has owned the Connecticut Sun WNBA franchise since 2003.
Steve Pagliuca
Former NBA owner who led a $325 million bid to purchase and relocate the Connecticut Sun to Boston.
Marc Lasry
Former NBA owner who led a $325 million bid to purchase and relocate the Connecticut Sun to Hartford.
Fertitta family
Owners of the NBA's Houston Rockets, who purchased the Connecticut Sun for a record $300 million and will relocate the franchise to Houston.
Cathy Engelbert
Commissioner of the WNBA, who made clear that Houston was the league's preferred destination for expansion.
What they’re saying
“Houston would be up next, for sure.”
— Cathy Engelbert, WNBA Commissioner
What’s next
The Connecticut Sun will play their final season in Connecticut in 2026 before relocating to Houston for the 2027 WNBA season, where they are expected to take on the name of the former Houston Comets franchise.
The takeaway
This sale highlights the WNBA's control over franchise relocation decisions, even when higher bids are on the table. The league's preference for the Houston market over other potential destinations like Boston or Hartford raises questions about the league's priorities and its treatment of existing markets and fan bases.
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