Connecticut Sun relocation details: What to know about WNBA franchise’s sale and upcoming move to Houston originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Connecticut Sun were put up for sale in May 2025. After 10 months of rumors about a possible move to Boston, the franchise was finally purchased by the Fertitta family on March 27, 2026.
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The Sun were sold for $300 million. The Fertitta family had been expected to bid for a WNBA expansion team in Houston, but instead is acquiring the Connecticut franchise, which will undergo a rebrand. When the Fertitta family previously discussed an expansion team, it had hoped to revive the Houston Comets, who played in the WNBA from the league’s founding in 1997 through 2008.
Here’s more on the sale of the Sun and their relocation to Houston.
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Where are the Connecticut Sun moving?
The Sun are relocating to Houston. There were preliminary rumors that the franchise would move to Boston, but the Fertitta family is going in a different direction, bringing a second WNBA franchise to Texas to join the Dallas Wings.
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The Fertitta family also owns the Houston Rockets, which is why the franchise is being relocated to Texas. The Sun are expected to share the Toyota Center with the Rockets. They would join the Phoenix Mercury, Minnesota Lynx, Indiana Fever, New York Liberty and Los Angeles Sparks as WNBA teams that share an arena with an NBA franchise.
When are the Connecticut Sun moving?
Connecticut will have a WNBA team for one more season. The Sun will play the 2026 season in Connecticut and then move to Houston for the 2027 season. With everything that happened with the CBA negotiations, there just isn’t time to move the team to Texas before the preseason begins on Sunday, April 19.
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Who bought the Connecticut Sun and for how much?
The Sun was bought by the Fertitta family for $300 million. The Fertitta family is has a deep background in both business and strong ties to Houston, Texas.
How did The Fertitta family make its money?
The Fertitta family is considered a dynasty of sorts in the business world, having built massive fortunes in gaming, hospitality and entertainment. Members of the family include Frank Fertitta III and Lorenzo Fertitta, who helped build Station Casinos and the UFC. Their cousin, Tilman Fertitta, owns the Houston Rockets and Landry’s, a Houston-based corporation that operates hundreds of casinos, hotels and restaurants.
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Will the Connecticut Sun keep the ‘Sun’ name?
They could, but it is unlikely. While nothing is confirmed, the expectation is that the franchise will be rebranded. A fan-favorite idea would be changing the team into the Houston Comets, which was one of the original WNBA teams and was founded in 1997, but folded in 2008.
