Reports indicate that the ownership group behind the Houston Rockets is engaged in ongoing discussions about acquiring the Connecticut Sun, with the possibility of relocating the longtime WNBA franchise. According to sources cited by ESPN, conversations between the two sides are advancing, though they remain preliminary. No official bid has been submitted, and neither party has agreed to an exclusive negotiation period. Likewise, the Sun’s current ownership has not finalized any decision regarding the team’s long-term direction.
Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta has previously made it clear that he wants to bring a WNBA franchise to Houston. However, the city was notably left out when the league announced new expansion teams slated for Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia between 2028 and 2030. With the WNBA already preparing to expand to Portland and Toronto in 2026, the league is set to grow to 15 teams in the near future. ESPN also reported that WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert privately suggested to Fertitta that Houston would be next in line for a franchise opportunity.
The Connecticut Sun are owned by the Mohegan Tribe, which acquired the team—then known as the Orlando Miracle—in 2003 for $10 million. Earlier this year, the tribe retained New York-based investment firm Allen & Co. to evaluate options related to a potential sale and relocation. Despite growing speculation, the franchise has emphasized continuity in the short term. In a message sent to fans over the summer, the Sun confirmed they would remain at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, for at least one more season.
Any eventual sale could prove highly lucrative for the Mohegan Tribe. Recent WNBA expansion fees reportedly reached $250 million for incoming ownership groups, highlighting the league’s rapid rise in valuation and popularity. That financial context underscores why interest in existing franchises has intensified among major sports investors.
On the court, the Sun have built a reputation as a consistent contender despite never capturing a WNBA championship. The team has reached the league finals four times, most recently in 2022. However, performance dipped significantly in the 2025 season, when Connecticut finished 11th in the standings with an 11–33 record, adding another layer of uncertainty to the franchise’s future.
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