The Connecticut Sun, a WNBA franchise, has agreed to a deal to be purchased by the Fertitta family and relocate to Houston. The sale, worth a reported record-breaking $300 million, is subject to approval by the WNBA's Board of Governors. The team will play out the 2026 season in Connecticut before moving to Houston in 2027. The Sun will reportedly play at the Toyota Center, home of the NBA's Houston Rockets, and be renamed the Houston Comets.
The Houston Comets name is a nod to the original WNBA franchise in the city, which existed from 1997 until 2008. The original Comets, led by Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, and Tina Thompson, won the league's first four championships and were the first WNBA dynasty. The team's move to Houston comes after the WNBA announced further expansion to Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia.
The Sun have played in Uncasville, Connecticut at Mohegan Sun Arena since 2003, when the franchise was purchased by the Mohegan Tribe and relocated from Orlando. The team has made the playoffs in 16 of 22 seasons in Connecticut and was the first franchise run by a non-NBA owner, also becoming the first to turn a profit.
The relocation of the Sun to Houston has left a void in the Connecticut community, with UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma expressing his thoughts on the matter. The move is a significant development in the WNBA's growth and evolution.
The Houston Comets' return to the WNBA is a significant development, but it also marks the end of an era for the Connecticut Sun and its loyal fan base. The team's legacy in the WNBA will be remembered, but the move to Houston will undoubtedly bring a new level of excitement and competition to the league. The WNBA's expansion plans and the relocation of the Sun are a testament to the league's growing popularity and its commitment to bringing top-notch women's basketball to new markets.
