WNBA's Connecticut Sun Sold, Moving to Houston

Mohegan Tribe sells team to Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta, ending 23-year run in New England

Mar. 31, 2026 at 7:24pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented WNBA basketball game, with sharp overlapping planes in navy, red, and gold colors, conveying the complex tensions surrounding the Connecticut Sun's move to Houston.The WNBA's decision to approve the relocation of the Connecticut Sun franchise to Houston has sparked concerns over the league's control of team markets.Houston Today

The Mohegan Tribe, owners of the WNBA's Connecticut Sun, have reached an agreement to sell the team to the Fertitta family and relocate it to Houston, pending approval from the WNBA. The move will mark the end of the Sun's 23-year run in Connecticut and the WNBA's presence in the New England region.

Why it matters

The sale and relocation have raised concerns from local officials and stakeholders, who argue the WNBA interfered in the bidding process to favor the Houston move over higher bids that would have kept the team in New England.

The details

The Mohegan Tribe will sell the Sun to Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta for a reported $300 million, less than the $325 million bids from Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca and Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry, who wanted to keep the team in the region. The league reportedly preferred the Houston move, believing it would be a better market for the franchise.

  • The Mohegan Tribe first put the team up for sale about a year ago.
  • The sale to Fertitta is pending approval from the WNBA board of governors.
  • The Sun will play one final season in Connecticut in 2026 before relocating to Houston in 2027.

The players

Tilman Fertitta

Owner of the NBA's Houston Rockets, who is purchasing the Connecticut Sun and relocating the team to Houston.

Steve Pagliuca

Boston Celtics minority owner who submitted a $325 million bid to keep the Sun in New England, proposing to move the team to Boston.

Marc Lasry

Milwaukee Bucks co-owner who submitted a $325 million bid to keep the Sun in New England, proposing to move the team to Hartford.

Cathy Engelbert

WNBA commissioner who said Houston was a preferred expansion market for the league.

Jen Rizzotti

President of the Connecticut Sun, who expressed disappointment over the team's relocation but is focused on making the final season in Connecticut memorable for fans.

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What they’re saying

“The outcome here clearly seems to have resulted from the WNBA favoring one bidder. The WNBA put its thumb on the scale and exercised its power for its own interests.”

— Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Senator

“I would have loved to remain in the region for our fan base and for the fact that I think this region deserves a women's basketball team. At the same time, it wasn't my decision and I'm at a point now where my focus turns to making this the best season we can have and a memorable one for our fans.”

— Jen Rizzotti, President, Connecticut Sun

“The people at Mohegan Sun, they stepped up when they were needed and brought a team to Connecticut. Connecticut deserves to have a team because we're a proven [place] where people would support women's basketball. Now [with the team] moving, I think it leaves a void.”

— Geno Auriemma, Head Coach, UConn Women's Basketball

What’s next

The WNBA board of governors must approve the sale and relocation of the Connecticut Sun to Houston.

The takeaway

The WNBA's decision to approve the sale of the Connecticut Sun to the Fertitta family and allow the team's relocation to Houston has drawn criticism from local officials and stakeholders who argue the league interfered in the bidding process to favor the Houston move over higher bids that would have kept the team in New England. This highlights the league's control over franchise locations and the tensions that can arise when team owners seek to maximize the value of their assets versus the desires of local communities.