The WNBA franchises are ready for the new season following the mega CBA deal and other processes now in progress. The Connecticut Sun, though, will enter 2026 as their final season in the league following the $300 million sale to the Fertitta Family.
The league approved the sale a few days ago, and the purchaser of the franchise, the Rockets’ owners, will make an official announcement after the deal is completed. Along with it, there was an announcement of the relocation of the Sun franchise, which broke many hearts in the region, including the Hartford Mayor.
Hartford Mayor Disappointed By Connecticut Sun Relocation
The franchise had been in Connecticut since 2003, with the Mohegan tribe purchasing and relocating the Orlando Miracle. Although the franchise won two conference titles in those seasons, it was the identity and inspiration of the Connecticut basketball program. UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma spoke about his views on the relocation, while the Hartford Mayor showed huge disappointment.
“It’s incredibly disappointing. We just had an incredibly exciting day of basketball (Sunday) with the men’s and women’s Huskies making it to the Final Four, and this is the basketball capital of the world, I still believe that,” Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam said.
BREAKING: The Connecticut Sun is being sold to the Fertitta family to bring the WNBA back to Houston, sources confirmed to ESPN
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) March 27, 2026
The team was sold for $300 million, sources said. Team will play final season in CT in '26 before relocation.
The Comets are back. pic.twitter.com/AxajUAXRsJ
“The thought of losing our one professional basketball franchise, a franchise that, based on the sale price, grew in market value more than 10 times since they came to this state, is just really disappointing as a fan and as mayor of the city,” Arulampalam added.
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The Connecticut Sun had a $325 million offer from the Boston Celtics minority owners, but the league gave preference to the franchises that submitted bids for the expansion teams. While there is a huge cry over the relocation of the franchise, did the Sun front office have any chance of staying in the region?
Did Connecticut Sun Have Chance To Stay In Uncasville?
The team’s ownership, the Mohegan Tribe, ultimately decided to sell to a group that will move the franchise. There were several attempts and proposals that could have kept the team in Connecticut, though not necessarily in Uncasville.
Former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry submitted a $325 million bid, higher than the final sale price of $300 million, with plans to move the team to Hartford’s PeoplesBank Arena. Moreover, Governor Ned Lamont supported a proposal that included the state taking a minority stake in the team. This plan involved splitting games between Uncasville and Hartford and financing a new practice facility in Hartford.
Connecticut Sun even scheduled its preseason games in Hartford, and Boston is showing its interest in staying in the region. But the league has decided to move to a larger media market than Hartford or Uncasville.