The Connecticut Sun’s future is moving closer to a defining moment, with Houston Rockets ownership now engaged in substantive negotiations to purchase and relocate the WNBA franchise, according to ESPN.
Discussions between Rockets ownership and the Mohegan Tribe — which has owned the Sun since relocating the franchise from Orlando to Uncasville, Connecticut, in 2003 — have been described as “positive.” Houston has improved its financial proposal to a level the Sun may be prepared to accept, though no exclusivity agreement has been signed and no final decision has been made.
Breaking: Houston Rockets ownership is in substantive talks with the Connecticut Sun over the potential purchase and relocation of the WNBA franchise, sources told me and @ramonashelburne pic.twitter.com/FzUV4yTat3
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) December 19, 2025
Houston Long Viewed as the WNBA’s Preferred Market
The latest talks align with the WNBA’s long-stated interest in returning to Houston. At the league’s three-team expansion announcement in June, commissioner Cathy Engelbert specifically identified Houston as “up next,” citing the city’s history in the league and the strength of Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta’s ownership group.
Houston pursued expansion during that process but did not secure a franchise when Philadelphia, Cleveland and Detroit were awarded teams at a $250 million expansion fee. Since then, relocation has increasingly emerged as the most viable pathway for Houston’s return to the league.
A Complicated Sale Process With Multiple Bidders
The Sun launched a formal process more than a year ago to explore investment and sale options as WNBA franchise valuations surged. ESPN reported that Houston was among the groups that expressed interest in purchasing the team outright earlier this year, eventually raising its offer to approximately $250 million.
In early July, Sun ownership reached a deal to sell the franchise for a record $325 million to a group led by former Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca, with plans to relocate the team to Boston. That deal stalled after the WNBA reiterated that relocation decisions are made by the league’s Board of Governors and that markets already involved in the expansion process take precedence.
Following that decision, the WNBA offered to buy the Sun for $250 million, a move that would have allowed the league to facilitate a subsequent sale to a market of its choosing. ESPN reported there was a strong belief at the time that Houston was the league’s preferred destination.
Connecticut Options Slow as Free Agency Looms
More recently, Sun ownership explored the possibility of Connecticut-affiliated funds purchasing a minority stake in the franchise. Those talks, however, have slowed, according to ESPN.
The urgency surrounding the Sun’s future is heightened by the league calendar. The WNBA hopes to reach clarity on the franchise’s direction before free agency, where all but two league veterans are currently unsigned. The exact timing of free agency remains uncertain as the league and players’ union continue negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement, with a deadline set for Jan. 9.
HOUSTON COMETS DYNASTY!
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) August 15, 2025
4 Years / 4 Championships
Regular season: 98-24
Playoffs: 16-2 https://t.co/za0Ee5BOhQ pic.twitter.com/Mn3vfnkcWU
Fertitta’s Push and the Legacy of the Comets
Fertitta has been a consistent advocate for bringing the WNBA back to Houston, frequently highlighting the city’s fan base and NBA-level infrastructure. Houston previously served as home to the Comets, one of the league’s original franchises and its first dynasty, winning four consecutive championships from 1997 to 2000 before folding in 2008.
Commissioner Engelbert and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver have both referenced that legacy when discussing Houston’s candidacy, underscoring the league’s belief that the market is well-positioned to support a modern WNBA franchise.
What Comes Next
Any sale and relocation of the Sun would still require approval from the WNBA Board of Governors, along with final agreement on relocation terms. As of now, no timetable has been finalized.
Still, with negotiations described as active and constructive, and with Houston’s long-standing position as the league’s preferred market, the possibility of the Sun ultimately relocating to Houston appears closer than at any point since the franchise was first put up for sale.
