Houston Rockets Ownership in Talks to Purchase and Relocate Connecticut Sun WNBA Franchise

The landscape of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) could be on the verge of a significant geographic and ownership shift. According to sources speaking to ESPN, the ownership group of the NBA's Houston Rockets is engaged in substantive talks to purchase the Connecticut Sun franchise with the intention of relocating it to Houston. This development follows a complex year of ownership exploration for the Sun and aligns with the WNBA's publicly stated ambition to return to the Houston market, which was once home to the legendary Houston Comets.

The State of Negotiations

Sources describe the discussions between Rockets ownership and the Sun as "positive." The Rockets group, led by billionaire Tilman Fertitta, has reportedly improved its financial offer to a level that the Sun's current ownership, the Mohegan tribe, might find acceptable. While a formal offer has been discussed, the parties have not yet signed an exclusivity agreement, and no final decision on the franchise's future has been made. The resolution of these talks is seen as time-sensitive, with hopes that a decision can be reached before the upcoming WNBA free agency period, the timing of which is currently uncertain due to ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations.

Historical Context and League Direction

The Connecticut Sun have been owned by the Mohegan tribe since 2003, when the franchise was purchased and moved from Orlando, Florida. A sale to the Rockets' ownership would continue a clear trend within the WNBA of moving toward having more teams under the umbrella of NBA ownership groups, which can provide significant financial stability and shared infrastructure. This potential move comes after a failed attempt earlier this year to sell the Sun to a group led by former Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca for a record $325 million, a deal that would have relocated the team to Boston. The WNBA effectively blocked that transaction, asserting that relocation decisions are made by the league's Board of Governors and that cities which had already gone through the recent expansion process had priority.

WNBA's Interest in Houston

The league's interest in Houston is not new. During the announcement of three expansion teams in June, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert specifically highlighted Houston and Tilman Fertitta as "up next" and "the one we have our eye on." Following the blocked Boston sale, the WNBA even offered to purchase the Sun itself for $250 million, with the belief that it would then facilitate a sale to the Houston market. Houston's bid for an expansion team was not successful in the last round, making this purchase-and-relocation path a viable alternative to bring the league back to a city with a rich women's basketball history.

Conclusion

The potential acquisition of the Connecticut Sun by Houston Rockets ownership represents a pivotal moment for the WNBA. It would mark the return of professional women's basketball to Houston, a market that passionately supported the championship-winning Comets, and further solidify the league's alignment with NBA ownership structures. While negotiations are advanced and positive, the final outcome awaits formal agreements and league approval. If completed, this move would not only change the map of the WNBA but also signal continued growth and investment in the league's future.