The WNBA’s Connecticut Sun will relocate to Houston in 2027 after league approval of a sale to Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta, marking a continued shift toward NBA-backed ownership.
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The WNBA and NBA boards of governors overwhelmingly approved the sale and relocation of the Connecticut Sun to Houston, moving ownership from the Mohegan Tribe to Tilman J. Fertitta, the league said Wednesday.
The team will finish the 2026 season in Connecticut and then will relocate to Houston before the 2027 campaign. Fertitta, who has owned the Houston Rockets since 2017, expands his basketball portfolio as the WNBA continues to trend toward NBA-style ownership arrangements.
Sun president Jen Rizzotti said the organization's immediate emphasis is its final season in Connecticut. “I want our staff and players to just focus on this season,” Rizzotti added. “Our fans have earned that.”
As part of a farewell tour for one of the league’s most stable clubs, the Sun will play games at several venues in 2026, including Hartford and Boston. The Mohegan Tribe has owned the club since 2003, when the former Orlando Miracle moved to Uncasville, becoming the first Native American tribe to own a professional sports franchise.
A person familiar with the process said the sale, which is likely to close soon, needed league clearance. ESPN first reported that the parties began talks in December, and they revealed a formal deal in March.
Rizzotti indicated that early coordination with Houston personnel has begun, but strategic choices for the 2026 season are still being made under the existing leadership structure. “We’ve just done a basic introduction and a little bit of questioning and due diligence,” she said.
The transition already has front-office additions. Former ESPN analyst Kevin Pelton joins the potential Houston franchise as assistant general manager/vice president of analytics
The move is part of a larger league trend. The WNBA’s upcoming expansion teams in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia are owned by NBA ownership groups. “It’s a natural evolution,” said Rizzotti, pointing to the benefits of shared resources in operations, marketing, and facilities.
“I think it’s a natural progression and it makes sense,” she remarked.
The Sun’s future had been in doubt since 2024, when the franchise began looking at investment options. Houston is the latest area to have a WNBA presence, with the sale now approved as the league continues a period of rapid development and increased investment.
