The WNBA is coming back to Houston! In a move that has sent shockwaves through the sports world, the Connecticut Sun have been sold for a staggering $300 million—the highest sale price in WNBA history—to Tilman Fertitta, owner of the Houston Rockets.
The blockbuster deal set a new financial benchmark for women’s sports and marks the long-awaited return of professional women’s basketball to the city where the league’s first dynasty was born.
The Details: A Record-Breaking Deal
The sale, which surfaced earlier this month and was confirmed this week, represents a seismic shift in the league’s valuation. Back in 2003, the Sun’s owners, The Mohegan Tribe, purchased the team for the sum of $10 million – making a 30x return.
Furthermore, the deal represents a significant market demand. According to reports, groups from Boston and Hartford both bid for the team as high as $325 million but were blocked by WNBA to prioritize Houston.
What happened to the original Houston Comets?
After original owner Leslie Alexander sold the Houston Comets in 2006, the franchise was separated from the Rockets’ infrastructure and moved to the smaller Reliant Arena, where it struggled to maintain its corporate and fan base.
When the 2008 global financial crisis hit, the team’s independent owner was forced to put the club up for sale, and with no buyers willing to step forward during the recession, the WNBA was forced to disband the historic franchise.
The Timeline: When Can We Buy Tickets?
The Houston Comets (the name the franchise is expected to reclaim) will make their return in 2027. Before the team tips off at the Toyota Center, the team will complete the remaining season as the Connecticut Sun.
What’s Next?
The WNBA Board of Governors still needs to formally approve the sale and relocation, though league Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has already signaled that Houston has been the league’s top priority for expansion or relocation for some time.
With a new Collective Bargaining Agreement in place and a roster of world-class talent moving south, the 2027 season is already shaping up to be the most anticipated year in Houston sports history.
