The Houston Rockets’ ownership group, led by Tillman and Patrick Fertitta, is actively engaged in significant talks with the Connecticut Sun regarding the purchase and potential relocation of the WNBA team, according to an ESPN report on Friday. Reporters Alexa Philippou and Ramona Shelburne, citing sources close to the situation, indicated that discussions are positive and that the Rockets have improved their offer to a level acceptable to the Sun.
While the exact timing of a finalized deal remains uncertain, it is anticipated that a decision about the franchise’s future will come before the upcoming free agency period, when most veteran player contracts expire. However, free agency’s timing is still unclear due to ongoing collective bargaining negotiations between the league and players, with the current agreement set to expire on January 9, 2026.
No exclusive agreement has been signed yet, and the parties have not finalized plans for the team’s future. The WNBA has previously shown strong interest in returning to Houston. During the league’s three-team expansion announcement in June, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert specifically mentioned Houston and Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta as key prospects for hosting a new WNBA team.
The Connecticut Sun have been owned by the Mohegan Tribe since 2003, when the franchise moved from Orlando, Florida, to Uncasville, Connecticut. Selling the team to the Rockets would mark another step in the WNBA’s trend toward more teams being owned by NBA franchises.
Houston was formerly home to the Comets from 1997 to 2008, a team that won the league’s first four championships led by stars like Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, and Tina Thompson. However, dwindling fan interest eventually led to the team’s dissolution by the end of the 2000s.
Interest in women’s basketball has surged recently nationwide, fueled by high-profile players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, helping boost the sport’s economic viability and league growth. Houston offers strong infrastructure for a WNBA team, including the Toyota Center arena, top-tier practice facilities, and the Rockets’ partial ownership of the Space City Home Network, a regional sports channel ideal for broadcasting games during the NBA offseason.
If the deal moves forward, the Sun’s franchise might not relocate immediately; Sun officials said in August the team plans to play in its current venue through 2026, making a potential move most likely in 2027. The Sun hired Allen & Company investment bank in May to explore selling the franchise. The team plays in the WNBA’s smallest media market and ended the 2025 season with one of the league’s poorest records (11-33), fueling speculation about a move.
Fan Take: This development is a thrilling prospect for WNBA fans, signaling a major market like Houston could soon regain a team and help elevate the league’s profile. Bringing a WNBA franchise back to Houston with NBA integration has the potential to strengthen the sport’s fan base, visibility, and long-term success.
