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The Connecticut Sun franchise will soon depart New England for Texas following a landmark deal with Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta. According to sources familiar with the transaction, Fertitta has agreed to purchase the WNBA team for $300 million, with plans to relocate the franchise to Houston in 2027.
The deal, which still requires approval from the WNBA Board of Governors, represents the highest sale price in WNBA history. The team will continue playing in Connecticut for the upcoming season before making the transition to Houston, where it will be rebranded as the Comets – reviving the name of one of the league’s most storied franchises.
This acquisition will end the Sun’s 23-year tenure in Connecticut, which began when the franchise moved from Orlando in 2003. The team has been a consistent playoff contender during its time in New England, though a championship has remained elusive.
Houston emerged as a leading contender for the franchise after expressing interest last year. The city’s bid reportedly increased from an initial offer to the final $300 million figure, surpassing the $250 million expansion fee recently paid by Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia to enter the league.
The deal comes after a higher offer from a group led by Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca fell through. That proposal, valued at $325 million, would have moved the team to Boston. However, the WNBA effectively blocked the transaction, stating that “relocation decisions are made by the WNBA Board of Governors and not by individual teams” and noting that other markets had priority through the expansion process.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert had previously indicated Houston was next in line for consideration following the announcement of the league’s three newest expansion teams.
The acquisition continues a significant trend in WNBA ownership, with NBA-affiliated investors increasingly taking stakes in women’s basketball. Since Mark Davis purchased the Las Vegas Aces in 2021, several teams have added owners with NBA connections. The Golden State ownership group joined last season, while Portland and Toronto are entering the league this year with ownership groups tied to their respective NBA franchises. Similarly, the upcoming expansion teams in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia all share ownership connections with NBA teams in those markets.
This NBA-WNBA ownership alignment comes at a pivotal time for the women’s league, which recently negotiated a new collective bargaining agreement requiring teams to provide facilities comparable to those of NBA franchises. Such investments signal growing recognition of the WNBA’s market potential and the need for professional-caliber infrastructure.
The timing of the announcement provides clarity for potential free agents considering signing with the Sun during the upcoming signing period. Players now understand the franchise’s long-term direction and location plans.
For Houston basketball fans, the deal marks a welcomed return of professional women’s basketball. The original Houston Comets were one of the WNBA’s founding franchises and dominated the league’s early years, winning the first four championships from 1997 to 2000. The franchise folded after the 2008 season, leaving a significant void in a city with deep women’s basketball roots.
This relocation represents the WNBA’s first franchise move since the San Antonio Stars became the Las Vegas Aces in 2017. That transition has proven successful, with the Aces winning multiple championships since their relocation.
As the league continues its expansion efforts and attracts high-profile investors, the record-setting sale of the Sun further demonstrates the WNBA’s growing valuation and business potential in the evolving sports marketplace.
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14 Comments
This is a significant development for the WNBA. $300 million is an eye-popping price, reflecting the league’s growing value. The move to Houston could be a gamble, but the Comets brand has history. Curious to see how fans in both cities respond.
Wow, $300 million for a WNBA team is a massive price tag. That speaks to the increasing commercial appeal of women’s pro sports. Reviving the Comets brand in Houston could be a smart move, though Connecticut fans will surely be disappointed.
The transition to Houston will be interesting to watch. The city has a strong sports culture, so the new owners must build a loyal local fanbase to make the most of this investment.
This is a huge development for the WNBA. A $300 million sale price for the Connecticut Sun shows just how much the league has grown in value and commercial appeal. Reviving the Comets name in Houston could be a smart play, though it will sting for Connecticut fans.
Houston is a major sports market, so the new owners likely see strong growth potential for the franchise there. But they’ll need to build a loyal local fanbase to make the relocation a long-term success.
A $300 million sale price for the Connecticut Sun is remarkable. That speaks to the commercial appeal of women’s pro sports these days. Reviving the Comets name in Houston could work, but it will be tough for Connecticut fans to lose their team.
Houston is a major market, so the new owners likely see strong growth potential there. But they’ll need to build a passionate local fanbase to make this relocation a long-term success.
The WNBA continues to grow in popularity and value. $300 million for the Connecticut Sun is a huge number, showing the league’s rising profile. Relocating the team to Houston is a bold move, though it may pay off for the new owner.
Fascinating to see the Connecticut Sun fetch $300 million, a WNBA record sale price. It highlights the increasing commercial viability of women’s pro sports. Reviving the Comets brand in Houston is an interesting move, though Connecticut fans will be disappointed to lose their team.
This is a big shakeup for the WNBA. $300 million is a record-setting price, reflecting the increasing commercial appeal of women’s sports. The move to Houston could give the team a boost, though Connecticut fans will be disappointed.
Reviving the Comets brand is an interesting choice. Houston is a major market, so the new owners likely see growth potential there. It will be important to build a strong local fan base.
Interesting move for the WNBA. $300 million is a hefty price tag, but it shows the growing value of pro sports franchises. I wonder how the fans in Connecticut will react to losing their team after over 20 years.
The Comets name is a nice throwback, though it may not resonate as strongly with the Houston market. Time will tell if the relocation pays off for the league and the new owners.
Wow, $300 million for a WNBA team is an eye-watering figure. It demonstrates the growing value and appeal of women’s pro sports. Relocating the Connecticut Sun to Houston and reviving the Comets brand is a bold move, but could pay dividends if executed well.