Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta has struck a deal to purchase the Connecticut Sun for a record-breaking $300 million, with plans to relocate the franchise to Houston in 2027, according to sources familiar with the transaction.
The WNBA Board of Governors must still give their approval for both the sale and the relocation. A source who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the negotiations confirmed the historic price tag to The Associated Press.
Connecticut will host the franchise for one more season before the team makes its way to Houston, where it will revive the Comets name.
“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,” Connecticut Sun president Jen Rizzotti told the AP. “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. It’s an opportunity to say thank you to them.”
The sale marks the conclusion of the franchise’s 23-year presence in New England, which began when the team relocated from Orlando in 2003.
Houston had previously shown interest in acquiring the team last year, eventually increasing their offer to $250 million — matching what Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia paid for expansion rights. The final $300 million purchase price sets a new record for WNBA team sales.
A competing bid of $325 million from a group headed by Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca would have brought the franchise to Boston, but the WNBA effectively prevented that transaction. League officials stated that “relocation decisions are made by the WNBA Board of Governors and not by individual teams.”
The league further explained that other cities had already begun the expansion process and held priority over Boston.
“This decision has always sat at the ownership level and we worked hard as a front office to make us New England’s WNBA team,” Rizzotti said. “Playing and selling out two games in Boston shows this is a market that can support a team at a significant level.”
During a press conference announcing three new expansion franchises, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert indicated Houston was next in line for a team.
Following Mark Davis’s acquisition of the Las Vegas Aces in 2021, the league has consistently brought in new ownership with NBA connections. The Golden State franchise, which debuted last season, belongs to the Warriors organization. Portland and Toronto are joining the WNBA this season with ownership groups tied to NBA teams.
The upcoming three expansion franchises — Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia — will all operate under NBA ownership groups from their respective cities.
Last week’s new collective bargaining agreement requires teams to maintain premium facilities comparable to NBA standards.
Making the announcement at this time provides clarity for potential free agents who could join the Sun next month.
“Morgan (Tuck) started last off season with the rebuild after our old roster turned over,” Rizzotti said of the Sun general manager. “She will now have clarity and strategic decisions regardless where it is if we remained in Connecticut or moving. With this new CBA in place, she can really evaluate the salary cap situation and build around the young core we established.”
The original Houston Comets were founding members of the WNBA and captured the league’s first four championships from 1997-2000. The franchise ceased operations following the 2008 season.
“My family and I are thrilled for the opportunity to bring the Houston Comets back to this incredible city,” Rockets alternate governor Patrick Fertitta said. “Houston has a proud championship history in the WNBA, with banners from the Comets’ four historic championship seasons still hanging in the rafters of Toyota Center. We believe the time is right to begin the next great era of Comets basketball, and we look forward to working with the WNBA as we move through this process.”
The Las Vegas Aces were the last WNBA franchise to change cities when they moved from San Antonio in 2017.
“What I don’t want people to forget is the Mohegan Tribe stepped up when nobody wanted a WNBA team and there were NBA owners folding franchises left and right,” Rizzotti said. “I hope that regardless of people’s feelings around this, they’ll remember that we had a really supportive ownership group that poured into the franchise for over two decades.
“The decision they made now doesn’t erase the fact they were there for the WNBA in a time of need and kept them going when it wasn’t as popular as it is now to have a franchise.”
