The WNBA recently addressed another long-standing issue in the league, confirming the sale of the Connecticut Sun to Houston Rockets owner Tilman J. Fertitta. While there had been much protest against the sale, the owners even accused the league of stealing the franchise through a low-value sale approval.
But now the league, which holds the authority to approve or decline the sale of franchises, had the final verdict, with the Governors stamping their approval of the $300 million sale.
WNBA Governors Approve Sale And Relocation Of Connecticut Sun
The Sun franchise owner already tried to sell the franchise before the start of the 2025 season and had multiple lucrative offers on the table. But looking at the future expansions and value of the expansion teams, the league approved the sale to the Houston-based ownership.
Incidentally, the league already had a franchise from the region, the Houston Rockers, that won four championships in a row and folded in 2008.
The Houston Comets will return to the WNBA after the league’s Board of Governors approved the sale of the Connecticut Sun franchise to the owner of the NBA's Houston Rockets.
— Pop Base (@PopBase) May 15, 2026
The Comets were one of the original 8 WNBA teams and the first to win a WNBA championship.
The Sun… pic.twitter.com/nl2OCxPwsU
With the CBA backlash, Cathy Engelbert also faced heat over the Connecticut Sun’s sale to Houston, but the commissioner stood strong on her decision and now has the governors’ approval, too.
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As for the fans, the Sun franchise will play at the Mohegan Sun Arena through the 2026 season and will begin a new era as the Houston Comets from the 2027 season.
Connecticut Sun President Reacts To Confirmation Of Sale
It’s interesting to note that the Mohegan Tribe owned the franchise since 2003, after purchasing and relocating the then-Orlando Miracle to Uncasville. With that, the Mohegan Tribe was the league’s first non-NBA owners and the first Native American tribe to own a professional sports team.
“I think, first and foremost, I want our staff and players to just be able to focus on this season and being present for the 2026 last season in Connecticut,” Sun president Jen Rizzotti told reporters.
Connecticut Sun president Jen Rizzotti spoke to reporters after the league announced WNBA/NBA BOG approval of the franchise's sale and relocation to Houston.
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) May 13, 2026
Rizzotti said Houston has been looped in to a certain extent on the basketball side, but decisions for the '26 season…
“I think our fans deserve that. And I think as a front office staff, our job is to continue to put on a great show and put a great product on the floor 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 will last forever,” he added to his emotional speech.
Apart from the ‘goodbyes’, the president also mentioned that Houston will provide great infrastructure for players and fans, and that, with the new CBA, they will also benefit in the league.