Connecticut Sun fans express disappointment over the team's impending move to Houston after the franchise is sold for $300 million. The sale, announced by the Mohegan Tribe ownership group, is expected to be finalized before the 2027 season.
Key points
Connecticut Sun fans attended an open practice event
The team is being sold for $300 million
Ownership group plans to move the team to Houston
Fans express disappointment over the team's history in Connecticut
UNCASVILLE, CT â Connecticut Sun fans stood in long lines for autographs from their favorite players at the WNBA team's annual open practice and meet-and-greet to kick off the 2026 season at Mohegan Sun arena in late April.
Nearly 1,500 season-ticket holders collected signatures from the newest roster members â legendary center Brittney Griner and UCLA national champions Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker â and old favorites â UConn grads Aaliyah Edwards and Olivia Nelson-Ododa â alike.
The fans know there won't be many more opportunities like this after the Mohegan Tribe ownership group announced March 30 it would sell the Sun to Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta. While the reported $300 million sale still has to be ratified by the WNBA Board of Governors, its a foregone conclusions Fertitta will move the franchise to Houston ahead of the 2027 season.
"It's disappointing because we have a history here," Myra Amsden, a season-ticket holder from Waterford, Connecticut, who has been coming to games for 20 years.
"The Sun were really robbed it from the tribe. There's too many things that are not right about this whole thing. And it's embarrassing, I think, for the WNBA."
The tribe had agreed to sell to former Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca for $325 million in July 2025. He had planned to move the team to Boston. Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry matched the $325 million and wanted to relocate the team to Hartford. The WNBA said no to both proposals, saying neither group made a bid for expansion in the last round so they were not eligible to buy the Sun.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Azzi Fudd who was selected first overall by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards.
Q&A
Why are Connecticut Sun fans upset about the team's move?
Fans are disappointed because they feel a strong connection to the team and believe it has a rich history in Connecticut.
Who is buying the Connecticut Sun and what is the sale price?
The Connecticut Sun is being sold to Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta for $300 million.
When is the Connecticut Sun expected to move to Houston?
The franchise is expected to move to Houston ahead of the 2027 season.
What impact does the sale of the Connecticut Sun have on its fans?
The sale impacts fans by limiting their opportunities to engage with the team and attend games, leading to feelings of loss and disappointment.
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Azzi Fudd (R) of UConn hugs WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected with the 1st pick in the first round by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Azzi Fudd of UConn celebrates after being selected with the 1st pick in the first round by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Olivia Miles who was selected second overall by the Minnesota Lynx during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards.
Olivia Miles of TCU celebrates after being selected with the 2nd pick in the first round by the Minnesota Lynx.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Awa Fam Thiam who was selected third overall by the Seattle Storm.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Lauren Betts who was selected fourth overall by the Washington Mystics.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (right) poses for photos with Gabriela Jaquez who was selected fifth overall by the Chicago Sky.
(L-R) Azzi Fudd of UConn and Cotie McMahon of Ole Miss pose prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
(L-R) Angela Dugalic of UCLA, Kiki Rice of UCLA, Gianna Kneepkens of UCLA, Lauren Betts of UCLA and Gabriela Jaquez of UCLA during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
(L-R) Awa Fam Thiam of Spain and Nell Angloma of France pose prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft.
Raven Johnson of South Carolina, left, Madina Okot of Kenya, center, and TaĂNiya Latson of South Carolina pose prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
2026 WNBA Draft prospects pose for a group photo before the event at The Shed at Hudson Yards in NYC on April 13, 2026.
2026 WNBA Draft prospects pose for a group photo before the event at The Shed at Hudson Yards in NYC on April 13, 2026.
1 / 14
Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Azzi Fudd who was selected first overall by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards.
1 / 14
Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Azzi Fudd who was selected first overall by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards.
2 / 14
Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft
Azzi Fudd (R) of UConn hugs WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected with the 1st pick in the first round by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
3 / 14
Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft
Azzi Fudd of UConn celebrates after being selected with the 1st pick in the first round by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
4 / 14
Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Olivia Miles who was selected second overall by the Minnesota Lynx during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards.
5 / 14
Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft
Olivia Miles of TCU celebrates after being selected with the 2nd pick in the first round by the Minnesota Lynx.
6 / 14
Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Awa Fam Thiam who was selected third overall by the Seattle Storm.
7 / 14
Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Lauren Betts who was selected fourth overall by the Washington Mystics.
8 / 14
Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (right) poses for photos with Gabriela Jaquez who was selected fifth overall by the Chicago Sky.
9 / 14
Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft
(L-R) Azzi Fudd of UConn and Cotie McMahon of Ole Miss pose prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
10 / 14
Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft
(L-R) Angela Dugalic of UCLA, Kiki Rice of UCLA, Gianna Kneepkens of UCLA, Lauren Betts of UCLA and Gabriela Jaquez of UCLA during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
11 / 14
Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft
(L-R) Awa Fam Thiam of Spain and Nell Angloma of France pose prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft.
12 / 14
Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft
Raven Johnson of South Carolina, left, Madina Okot of Kenya, center, and TaĂNiya Latson of South Carolina pose prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
13 / 14
Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft
2026 WNBA Draft prospects pose for a group photo before the event at The Shed at Hudson Yards in NYC on April 13, 2026.
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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft
2026 WNBA Draft prospects pose for a group photo before the event at The Shed at Hudson Yards in NYC on April 13, 2026.
The WNBA announced expansion to Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030) in July 2025. At the time, commissioner Cathy Engelbert made it clear the league wanted to return to Houston sooner than later.
âOne of those I wanted to shout out because they have such a strong history in this league, and theyâre a great ownership group â Houston. ⊠Thatâs the one we have our eye on,â Engelbert said at the time. âTilman (Fertitta) has been a great supporter of the WNBA, and weâll stay tuned on that.
âHouston would be up next for sure. There might be opportunities there.â
The opportunity comes at the expense of Sun fans. The Mohegan Tribe bought the franchise, formerly the Orlando Miracle, in 2003 for $10 million. They have played in Connecticut for 24 seasons. Mike Greer and his wife, Asia, have had season tickets for two years but have been coming to games for much longer.
"I feel like a sore loser," said Greer, who's 5-year-old daughter, Autumn, was waiting in line with him for autogrpahs. "I've been mad. ... It's not even bittersweet. It's just bitter. There's no silver lining."
Asia Greer added: "It doesn't seem like a good business deal as the league is appreciating. The WNBA just did whatever they wanted. It's really sad how they snatched the team away."
Sacramento Monarchs center/forward Yolanda Griffith won MVP in 1999.
Connecticut Sun forward Jonquel Jones won MVP in 2021.
Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike won MVP in 2016.
Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings won MVP in 2011.
Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles won MVP in 2012.
Chicago Sky guard/forward Elena Delle Donne won MVP in 2015 and 2019.
Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi won MVP in 2009.
Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles won MVP in 2017.
Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart won MVP in 2018 and 2023.
Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker won MVP in 2008 and 2013.
Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore won MVP in 2014.
Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson won MVP in 2003, 2007 and 2010.
Los Angeles Sparks center Lisa Leslie won MVP in 2001, 2004 and 2006.
Houston Comets guard Sheryl Swoopes won MVP in 2000, 2002 and 2005.
Houston Comets guard Cynthia Cooper won the MVP award in 1997 and 1998.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson won MVP in 2020, 2022 and 2024.
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All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16
Sacramento Monarchs center/forward Yolanda Griffith won MVP in 1999.
1 / 16
All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16
Sacramento Monarchs center/forward Yolanda Griffith won MVP in 1999.
2 / 16
All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16
Connecticut Sun forward Jonquel Jones won MVP in 2021.
3 / 16
All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16
Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike won MVP in 2016.
4 / 16
All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16
Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings won MVP in 2011.
5 / 16
All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16
Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles won MVP in 2012.
6 / 16
All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16
Chicago Sky guard/forward Elena Delle Donne won MVP in 2015 and 2019.
7 / 16
All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16
Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi won MVP in 2009.
8 / 16
All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16
Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles won MVP in 2017.
9 / 16
All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16
Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart won MVP in 2018 and 2023.
10 / 16
All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16
Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker won MVP in 2008 and 2013.
11 / 16
All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16
Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore won MVP in 2014.
12 / 16
All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16
Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson won MVP in 2003, 2007 and 2010.
13 / 16
All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16
Los Angeles Sparks center Lisa Leslie won MVP in 2001, 2004 and 2006.
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All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16
Houston Comets guard Sheryl Swoopes won MVP in 2000, 2002 and 2005.
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All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16
Houston Comets guard Cynthia Cooper won the MVP award in 1997 and 1998.
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All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson won MVP in 2020, 2022 and 2024.
Jenny Trerice has been coming to Sun games since she was 15, "when they first existed." She reminisced about the many players â from Nykesha Sales and Lindsey Whalen to DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas â who she's cheered for over the years.
"For it to be such a big basketball place and for them to say, 'We'll be gone in less than a year,'" Trerice said. "It shocked me, but it didn't. It definitely more hurt me than anything ... it seems like almost no loyalty."
Trerice attends games with her mom, Jennifer, who lamented the loss of the team and the opportunity to spend time with her daughter.
"This is like some some mom-kid bonding time that's gonna be taken away," Jennifer said. "I cherish it."
Connecticut calls itself the basketball capital of the world, thanks to 18 national championships combined between the UConn men's and women's basketball teams. The Sun never won a title but did make the playoffs 17 times and WNBA Finals four times in their history.
âConnecticut deserves to have a team, because weâre a proven (place) where people will support womenâs basketball,â UConn coach Geno Auriemma said in March. âSo them now moving, I think it leaves a void. They had a great fanbase, and it wasnât only UConn fans or fans only went when UConn players came.
âThey did a great job of establishing their own fanbase, and it was a rabid fanbase that provided a lot of energy and a lot of passion for those teams.â
As season ticket holders stood for up to a half an hour to meet their favorite player, longtime season-ticket holder Angel Earle said the event, where you "used to be able to get every player" has grown so much now you have to pick three or four players to target. Seeing the fanbase grow but being unable to keep the Sun in Connecticut is "frustrating."
Earle, who is well-known among the Connecticut fans for sitting courtside in colorful costumes and leading cheers, said she will continue to root for the W but doesn't look forward to having to take a road trip to see a game live.
"The New York Liberty will be the closest (WNBA team) but, I think before I start traveling all that way, I'll probably move back to Jersey first," Earle said.
"When I am retired ... maybe I'll move to Texas (to support the Houston Comets). Who knows?"
