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Houston Today
By the People, for the People
Rockets Owner Tilman Fertitta Buys WNBA's Connecticut Sun for $300 Million
The team will be relocated to Houston and renamed the Houston Comets, reviving the legacy of the WNBA's original dynasty.
Mar. 30, 2026 at 2:20pm
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The $300 million purchase of the Connecticut Sun WNBA franchise by Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta signals growing investment and confidence in the league's future.Houston TodayHouston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta has reached an agreement to purchase the WNBA's Connecticut Sun for $300 million. The deal, which is pending league approval, will see the franchise relocated to Houston and renamed the Houston Comets, bringing back the legacy of the WNBA's original dynasty. The $300 million price tag shatters the previous record for a standalone WNBA team sale.
Why it matters
This deal represents a major investment in the WNBA by an NBA owner, signaling growing interest and confidence in the league's future. The relocation to Houston, a top media market, also provides the Comets with the opportunity to rebuild their fanbase and recapture the success of their championship-winning past.
The details
Fertitta's Fertitta Entertainment company will acquire the Connecticut Sun, which has played in the WNBA's smallest media market of Uncasville, Connecticut since relocating from Orlando in 2003. The team is expected to begin play at the Toyota Center in Houston starting in the 2027 season. The Comets were one of the WNBA's original eight franchises, winning the first four league championships before folding in 2008 after 12 seasons.
- The deal is still pending league approval, but the team is expected to begin play in Houston for the 2027 season.
- The Connecticut Sun had made the playoffs eight straight seasons before a 11-33 campaign in 2026, their worst record in franchise history.
The players
Tilman Fertitta
The owner of the Houston Rockets who has agreed to purchase the Connecticut Sun WNBA franchise and relocate it to Houston.
Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority
The subsidiary of the Mohegan Tribe that has owned the Connecticut Sun since the team relocated from Orlando in 2003.
Cathy Engelbert
The WNBA commissioner who indicated during the league's 2025 expansion announcement that Houston was next in line for a new franchise.
What’s next
The deal is still pending approval from the WNBA's Board of Governors, but is expected to be finalized in the coming months.
The takeaway
This record-setting purchase of the Connecticut Sun by Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta demonstrates the growing value and interest in the WNBA, as the league continues to expand its footprint and attract high-profile NBA owners. The relocation to Houston also provides an opportunity to revive the legacy of the Comets, one of the WNBA's original dynasties.
