The Connecticut Sun may be relocating to Houston in 2026, according to reports from ESPN’s Alexa Philippou and Ramona Shelbourne. The Mohegan Tribe and the Houston Rockets ownership are engaged in “substantive negotiations” to sell the team, which would bring the franchise to Texas. These talks are described as promising, with the potential for improvements proposed by Tilman Fertitta and the Rockets’ group. This move would mark the end of the Sun’s 22-year presence in Uncasville, which began when the team was the Orlando Miracle from 1999 to 2002.
The Sun’s future in Connecticut has been uncertain for some time. Despite a competitive run featuring stars like DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas, the team entered a rebuilding phase in 2025, finishing with an 11-33 record. The Sun currently play at the Mohegan Sun Arena within the Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort, a venue often criticized as one of the worst facilities in the WNBA. In July, the Mohegan Tribe agreed to sell the team to Steve Pagliuca, a former minority owner of the Boston Celtics, who intended to relocate the team to Boston.
Houston has not had a WNBA team since the Comets dissolved in 2008. The Comets were the league’s first team to win four championships, and WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has expressed strong interest in reestablishing a presence in Houston. Some insiders believe this desire to partner with Fertitta may have influenced the decision to block the sale of the Sun to Pagliuca.
Fan Take: This potential move is significant for WNBA fans as it could revitalize the league’s presence in a major basketball city like Houston, reconnecting with a market that historically embraced the Comets. It also signals ongoing shifts in the league’s growth strategy, emphasizing new ownership and improved facilities to enhance the overall fan and player experience.
