The WNBA has officially greenlit a major shakeup in the league, approving the sale and relocation of the Connecticut Sun to Houston. The move, which was unanimously backed by the WNBA and NBA board of governors, brings an end to the Sun's 23-year tenure in New England and marks a new chapter for one of the league's most historic franchises.
The team has been purchased by Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta for a record-breaking $300 million—the largest sale in WNBA history. Fertitta plans to revive the Houston Comets name, honoring one of the league's original eight franchises that dominated the early years with four consecutive championships before disbanding in 2008. The newly minted Comets will begin play in Houston starting with the 2027 season.
The announcement came on a bittersweet afternoon, just hours before the Sun suffered a 69-98 loss to the defending champion Las Vegas Aces at Mohegan Sun Arena. For Connecticut fans, it was the final chapter in a saga that has been unfolding since last August, when rumors first surfaced about the team's uncertain future.
The Mohegan Tribe, which has owned the Sun since 2003, confirmed the sale in late March. However, the process has not been without controversy. Critics argue the WNBA steered the deal away from higher offers from Boston and Hartford, preventing the team from staying in Connecticut. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal has called for a federal antitrust investigation, stating at an April press conference, "There's more than ample support here from fans and from the local economy, which will suffer as a result of losing the Connecticut Sun. The WNBA must be held accountable."
For Houston basketball fans, this is a homecoming of sorts. The Comets were trailblazers in women's sports, winning the WNBA's first four championships and featuring legends like Cynthia Cooper and Sheryl Swoopes. With Fertitta's deep pockets and the Rockets' infrastructure, the revival of the Comets signals a new era of investment and excitement in the league. As the WNBA continues to grow in popularity, this move underscores the increasing value and visibility of women's professional basketball.