The ownership group of the Houston Rockets is reportedly in discussions to purchase the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun and relocate the team, according to ESPN reporters Alexa Philippou and Ramona Shelburne. Talks are ongoing, with the Rockets’ owner raising his bid to try and finalize the deal.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert mentioned in July that Houston is a market the league is interested in, noting that Houston is likely to be the next city to get a team. Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta had previously attempted to introduce a WNBA expansion team to Houston, but the league chose Philadelphia, Detroit, and Cleveland instead. The current plan, as reported by the Houston Chronicle, is to move the Sun to Houston and rebrand them as the Comets by the 2027 or 2028 season.
In August, it was reported that a group led by Steve Paliuca, a minority owner of the Boston Celtics, had agreed to purchase the Sun from the Mohegan Tribe for $325 million, marking the highest price ever paid for a women’s pro sports team. This deal, which requires approval from the WNBA Board of Governors, also includes a $100 million investment in a new practice facility and a move of the franchise to Boston. However, the league expressed opposition to Paliuca’s relocation plan, emphasizing that relocation decisions rest with the WNBA Board of Directors and that markets involved in the expansion process would have preference over Boston.
The WNBA has reportedly offered $250 million to buy the Sun itself to facilitate a sale to a preferred market.
The Houston Comets were one of the WNBA’s original teams and won the league’s first four championships from 1997 to 2000, led by stars Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, and Tina Thompson. The team was folded 11 years later when no buyer came forward to keep it, leading to a dispersal draft for the players. The Connecticut Sun franchise began as the Orlando Miracle from 1999 to 2002 before relocating to Connecticut in 2003. The Sun have reached the playoffs 15 times in 21 seasons and made it to the WNBA Finals four times.
Fan Take: This potential move brings exciting news for WNBA fans, as Houston’s return to the league could reignite the passion for women’s basketball in a historically significant city. It also signals continued growth and investment in the WNBA, which is crucial for the sport’s long-term success and wider fan engagement.
