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6d ago

WNBA Owners Approve Sale of Connecticut Sun to Tilman Fertitta, Team to Relocate to Houston in 2027

A record $300 million price underscores how fast WNBA team values are climbing.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire speaks during a press conference regarding the return of the WNBA’s Houston Comets at the Toyota Center in Houston on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
Former Houston Comets player Tina Thompson is greeted before a press conference regarding the return of the WNBA’s Houston Comets at the Toyota Center in Houston on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
A group photo following a press conference regarding the return of the WNBA’s Houston Comets at the Toyota Center in Houston on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
Houston Rockets Alternate Governor and Director of Fertitta Entertainment Patrick Fertitta and President of Business Operations Gretchen Sheirr will hold media availability regarding the return of the WNBA’s Houston Comets at the Toyota Center in Houston on Thursday, May 14, 2026.

Overview

  • The WNBA and NBA boards, which voted unanimously on Wednesday, approved Tilman Fertitta’s reported $300 million purchase and the Sun’s relocation for 2027.
  • Connecticut will play the full 2026 season at Mohegan Sun Arena with two games in Hartford and one in Boston before the move.
  • At a Thursday news conference in Houston, Rockets executives said the franchise plans to use the Comets name despite an active trademark dispute, expressing confidence they will prevail.
  • The team will play and practice at Toyota Center, where $180 million in renovations will add locker rooms, a practice court and a weight room, with no separate practice facility at first.
  • Sun president Jen Rizzotti said staff have been told they are welcome to move to Houston, with meetings set for next week to discuss roles as the new owners plan leadership and branding.