What's happened
The WNBA's Connecticut Sun are set to be sold for a record $300 million and will relocate to Houston, where they will revive the Comets name. The team will play in Connecticut for the 2026 season before moving in 2027, pending WNBA approval.
What's behind the headline?
The sale reflects a significant shift in WNBA franchise locations, driven by the league's strategic focus on expanding its presence in major markets like Houston. The move is supported by the league's prior approval of Houston as a potential site, and the return of the Comets name taps into the franchise's championship legacy, likely boosting local interest. This transition underscores the league's emphasis on leveraging historical brand value and market potential to grow the sport. The sale also highlights the increasing valuation of WNBA teams, signaling strong investor confidence and a focus on long-term growth. The transition period will test the league's ability to maintain fan engagement and ensure a smooth relocation process, with the 2026 season serving as a final chapter in Connecticut.
What the papers say
The AP News articles detail the sale process, including the record $300 million valuation and the league's approval process. The NY Post reports on the team's final season in Connecticut and the historical significance of the Comets name. All sources emphasize the league's strategic move to Houston, supported by prior league statements and ownership interests, illustrating a broader trend of franchise relocations and market expansion in women's professional basketball.
How we got here
The Connecticut Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribe since 2003, are being sold to the Fertitta family, owners of the NBA's Houston Rockets. The sale, valued at $300 million, is the highest in WNBA history. The team will play one final season in Connecticut before relocating to Houston, where they will adopt the historic Comets name, which was associated with Houston's original WNBA franchise that disbanded in 2008.
Go deeper
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The Houston Comets were a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Houston, Texas, United States. Formed in 1997, the team was one of the original eight WNBA teams and won the first four championships of the league's existence.
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The Connecticut Sun are an American professional basketball team based in Uncasville, Connecticut that competes in the Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association.
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The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association as a member team of the league's Western Conference Southwest Division.
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Catherine "Cathy" Engelbert is an American business executive and Commissioner of the Women's National Basketball Association. Before joining the WNBA, she had been with Deloitte for 33 years, including as its first female CEO from 2015–2019.
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Tilman Joseph Fertitta is an American billionaire businessman and television personality. He is the chairman, CEO, and sole owner of Landry's, Inc., one of the largest restaurant corporations in the U.S.