The CBA deal finally gets the nod from the WNBPA and WNBA, ending the 17-month discussions between the parties. While it may seem a long period to close the deal, Connecticut Sun owners waited nearly the same amount of time for the sale of the franchise. And now the league has approved the sale to the Houston Rockets’ owners, the Fertitta family.
While the Rockets’ ownership entered the picture late in December and offered $300 million, the league sided with the offer, allowing the team’s relocation to Texas.
Houston Rockets Owners Purchase Connecticut Sun
The Mohegan Tribe has been looking to part ways with the franchises since 2025, and the Boston Celtics’ ownership has made an offer of $325 million to purchase them. While the league blocked the move, it allowed the sale to Houston at a much lower price, with the option to relocate. While the Connecticut Sun officially kick off the 2026 WNBA season ticket sale, the franchise will play the season in Connecticut.
According to the reports, the parties will make an official announcement on the same by Monday. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert expressed interest in moving the team to Houston, calling it the ‘next’ destination for women’s basketball.
BREAKING NEWS: The Connecticut Sun will be relocated to Houston, sources confirm to @MikeVorkunov.
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 27, 2026
The Mohegan Tribe is selling the team to the Fertitta family, owners of the Houston Rockets, for a WNBA record $300 million, according to one of the sources. pic.twitter.com/02wsPZt2hL
With the relocation to Houston, the owners are also looking to rename the franchise the Houston Comets, the franchise that was part of the WNBA from 1997 to 2008 and won four championships. Interestingly, the Mohegan tribe also purchased the team that nearly disbanded in Orlando and moved it to Connecticut in 2003.
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Now with the franchise relocating to Texas, there will be a huge void in Connecticut, and UConn coach Geno Auriemma was the first one to talk about this ‘gap’.
Geno Auriemma Reacts Connecticut Sun’s Sale To Houston Rockets’ Owners
Focusing on the 13th championship, the UConn head coach Geno Auriemma was as much in shock as others were following the ‘quick’ decision. The UConn program had been one of the most successful in the NCAAW, and the region without a WNBA team certainly feels odd.
While the Huskies are in Texas for the Sweet 16 round, coach Auriemma reflected on the sale as he said, “The people at Mohegan Sun; they stepped up when they were needed and brought a team to Connecticut, as Connecticut deserves to have a team because we’re a proven (place) where people would support women’s basketball. Now (with them) moving, I think it leaves a void.”
Geno on the Sun sale: "The people at Mohegan Sun, they stepped up when they were needed & brought a team to Connecticut, as Conn. deserves to have a team b/c we're a proven [place] where people would support women's basketball. Now [with them] moving, I think it leaves a void."
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) March 28, 2026
The Connecticut Sun had been in the region for 23 years and reached the playoffs 16 times, but failed to win the title. Yet their presence in the state was a source of pride for Connecticut and an inspiration for the young hoopers.