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The Connecticut Sun have reached an agreement to sell the franchise to Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta for a record $300 million, with plans to relocate the team to Houston in 2027, according to a source familiar with the transaction.
The deal, which still requires approval from the WNBA Board of Governors, would end the Sun’s 23-year presence in New England. The team will continue to play in Connecticut for the upcoming season before making the move to Texas, where they will revive the Houston 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 Associated Press. “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.”
The $300 million sale price represents the highest amount ever paid for a WNBA franchise, surpassing the $250 million expansion fee that Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia recently paid to enter the league.
Notably, the Sun reportedly had a higher offer of $325 million from a group led by Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca that would have relocated the team to Boston. However, the WNBA effectively blocked that deal, stating that “relocation decisions are made by the WNBA Board of Governors and not by individual teams.” The league also indicated that other cities had gone through the expansion process and had priority over Boston.
Connecticut officials expressed disappointment about losing the team, particularly at a lower price than what was offered to keep the franchise in the region. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong issued a statement saying, “I am aware of concerning reports regarding a sale that would move the Sun out of Connecticut at a price far less than what was on the table to keep them here at home.”
In an effort to expand their regional presence before the move, the Sun will play two games in Hartford, Connecticut, and one in Boston during the upcoming season. Rizzotti noted that selling out two games in Boston “shows this is a market that can support a team at a significant level.”
The Houston Comets were one of the WNBA’s original franchises and dominated the league’s early years, winning the first four championships from 1997-2000 before folding after the 2008 season. The return of the Comets name reconnects Houston with its storied WNBA past.
“My family and I are thrilled for the opportunity to bring the Houston Comets back to this incredible city,” said Rockets alternate governor Patrick Fertitta. “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.”
The sale continues a trend of WNBA teams being acquired by NBA-connected ownership groups. Since Mark Davis purchased the Las Vegas Aces in 2021, several franchises have been bought by owners with NBA ties, including Golden State, Portland, Toronto, Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia.
This acquisition is timely, as the WNBA recently agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement requiring teams to provide top-tier facilities comparable to NBA standards. The announcement also provides clarity for potential free agents who might sign with the Sun next month.
Rizzotti acknowledged the Mohegan Tribe’s crucial role in supporting the franchise for over two decades. “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,” she said. “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.”
The Sun’s planned relocation marks the first WNBA franchise move since the San Antonio Stars became the Las Vegas Aces in 2017, signaling continued evolution in the rapidly growing women’s professional basketball landscape.
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10 Comments
This is a significant development for the WNBA. $300 million is an incredible valuation, reflecting the growth and potential of women’s professional basketball. The relocation to Houston will be an interesting test for the league.
The WNBA has made great strides in recent years. Relocating the Sun to Houston could open up new avenues for the league to expand its fanbase and visibility.
Interesting to see a WNBA team being sold for such a record-breaking price. I wonder how the move to Houston will impact the fan base and the team’s performance. Hopefully the new owner can grow the sport in Texas.
The $300M sale price is certainly eye-catching. I’m curious to see if the team can build a strong following in Houston and continue to grow the game in a new market.
The record-breaking sale of the Connecticut Sun is a significant milestone for the WNBA. It demonstrates the growing interest and investment in women’s professional sports. However, the team’s relocation to Houston will be a crucial test for their fan engagement and long-term viability.
A $300 million valuation is a strong signal of the WNBA’s commercial potential. The league will need to navigate this transition carefully to ensure the Sun’s success in their new home market.
A $300 million sale price for a WNBA franchise is quite remarkable. It speaks to the increasing commercial appeal of women’s sports. I wonder what this means for the long-term financial sustainability and growth of the league.
The move to Houston could be a strategic decision to tap into a new market and build a stronger regional following for the team. It will be interesting to see how the relocation impacts the Sun’s performance and popularity.
This is a fascinating development in the world of women’s professional basketball. A $300 million sale price for a WNBA franchise is a remarkable achievement, but the team’s relocation to Houston will be a critical test for the league’s growth and sustainability.
The WNBA has made impressive strides in recent years, and this record-breaking sale underscores the increasing commercial viability of the sport. However, the move to Houston will be a true test of the league’s ability to build a strong regional fanbase.