WNBA, NBA Board of Governors approve sale of Sun; Houston relocation set for 2027

WNBA, NBA Board of Governors approve sale of Sun; Houston relocation set for 2027

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Twilight is on the horizon for the Connecticut Sun.

After a prolonged process, the WNBA and NBA Board of Governors approved the relocation and sale of the franchise from the Mohegan Tribe to Tilman J. Fertitta, the league announced Wednesday. The unanimous vote — which marks the final step in the transaction — solidifies that this season will be the franchise’s last in Connecticut before relocating to Houston to start the 2027 season.

“As a front-office staff, our job is to continue to put on a great show and put a great product on the floor,” Sun president Jen Rizzotti told reporters before Wednesday’s 98-69 loss to the Las Vegas Aces, “but also make sure that we’re inviting people into this arena for the last time and they’re going to create some experiences that last forever.”

Fertitta, who also owns the Houston Rockets, purchased the franchise for a record-breaking $300 million, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the transaction. The team will be rebranded as the Comets, the WNBA’s original dynasty team, which folded in 2008.

The Mohegan Tribe had internal discussions with the league last year about a potential sale to the Cleveland ownership group led by Dan Gilbert’s Rocket Entertainment Group before taking the sale to market. At the time, the WNBA was still evaluating expansion bids, including from Fertitta. Selling to Gilbert would have, in theory, helped facilitate the league’s expansion to Houston.

The Mohegan Tribe was advised it would receive higher offers if it took the sale to market, which it did, hiring investment bank Allen & Company to lead the search for a buyer. Ultimately, the WNBA granted expansion teams to Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030). The WNBA announced these expansion teams last June. At the time, commissioner Cathy Engelbert told reporters, “Houston would be up next, for sure,” when asked about a timeline for evaluating future expansion bids.

Two offers valued at $325 million were fielded by the Sun. The first came from a Boston group led by Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca, who had an agreement to buy the team. The WNBA disapproved of the deal, asserting that the league, not individual owners, has sole discretion over relocation. A subsequent offer followed from former Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry, who proposed moving the team to Hartford, Conn.