The Houston Rockets’ ownership is actively negotiating to purchase and relocate the Connecticut Sun, according to sources familiar with the matter. Recent discussions have been described as “positive,” with Rockets ownership improving its offer to a level that the Sun may find acceptable. However, while a formal offer has been on the table, the two parties have yet to sign an exclusivity agreement, leaving the future of the franchise uncertain.
The WNBA has previously shown interest in re-establishing a presence in Houston. At the league’s expansion announcement in June, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert identified Houston and Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta as a key player in the league’s future developments.
The Connecticut Sun has been under the ownership of the Mohegan tribe since 2003 when they relocated the franchise from Orlando, Florida, to Uncasville, Connecticut. Should the Rockets successfully acquire the team, it would signal a broader trend of NBA ownership in the WNBA, aiming to strengthen ties and synergies between the two leagues.
Over a year ago, the Sun had initiated a process to explore potential investment options, initially considering a limited partnership sale to support infrastructure improvements. Recently, the Rockets ramped up their bid to $250 million, matching the expansion fees paid earlier this year by teams like Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia.
In July, Sun ownership struck a deal for a record $325 million with a group led by former Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca, which proposed relocating the team to Boston. However, the WNBA intervened, asserting that relocation decisions are controlled by its Board of Governors, thus protecting cities that have undergone the expansion process.
While the WNBA offered to buy the Sun outright for $250 million to enable a relocation to a market of their choice, there have been additional discussions exploring minority stake purchases involving state-affiliated funds, though these talks have reportedly slowed.
The hope remains that a definitive decision regarding the franchise’s future will be reached before the upcoming free agency period, which is currently clouded by ongoing negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, with a deadline set for January 9.
The legacy of women’s basketball in Houston is notable, particularly with the Houston Comets, who were the league’s first champions and featured legendary players such as Sheryl Swoopes, Cynthia Cooper, and Tina Thompson before disbanding in 2008. The potential relocation of the Sun could signify a new chapter for the sport in the city, fostering a renewed interest and enthusiasm for women’s basketball in Houston.