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The sale of the Connecticut Sun franchise to the owner of the Houston Rockets marks the end of an era for the WNBA, but also the beginning of a new chapter for professional women’s basketball in Houston.Hartford Today
The Mohegan Tribe has announced that they have reached an agreement to sell the Connecticut Sun WNBA franchise to Tilman Fertitta, the owner of the Houston Rockets. The team will be rebranded as the Houston Comets and is expected to begin play at the Toyota Center for the 2027 WNBA season. The Comets were one of the WNBA’s original eight franchises and won four consecutive championships from 1997 to 2000.
Why it matters
The return of the Houston Comets franchise is significant for WNBA fans, as the Comets were one of the league’s most successful and iconic teams during its early years. The move also marks the end of the Connecticut Sun, which had been a fixture in the WNBA for over two decades under the ownership of the Mohegan Tribe.
The details
The Mohegan Tribe, which has owned the Connecticut Sun since 2003, has reached an agreement to sell the franchise to Tilman Fertitta’s Fertitta Entertainment. The team will be rebranded as the Houston Comets and is expected to begin play at the Toyota Center for the 2027 WNBA season. The Comets were one of the WNBA’s original eight franchises and won four consecutive championships from 1997 to 2000 before folding in 2008 due to financial troubles.
The Connecticut Sun will play their final season in 2026.The Houston Comets are expected to begin play at the Toyota Center for the 2027 WNBA season.
The players
Tilman Fertitta
The owner of the Houston Rockets, whose company Fertitta Entertainment has reached an agreement to purchase the Connecticut Sun franchise.
Patrick Fertitta
The Rockets Alternate Governor, who said the family is ‘thrilled for the opportunity to bring the Houston Comets back to this incredible city.’
Joe Soper
The Corresponding Secretary for the Mohegan Tribal Council, who expressed gratitude to the Sun’s fans and acknowledged the team’s impact on the region.
Jen Rizzotti
The Connecticut Sun President and former UConn national champion player, who recognized the emotional moment for the team’s fans and community.
Gretchen Sheirr
The President of Business Operations for the Houston Comets, who said the organization is excited to welcome the WNBA back to Houston and revive the Comets’ legacy.
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What they’re saying
“My family and I are thrilled for the opportunity to bring the Houston Comets back to this incredible city. Houston has a proud championship history in the WNBA, with banners from the Comets’ four historic championship seasons still hanging in the rafters of Toyota Center. We believe the time is right to begin the next great era of Comets basketball, and we look forward to working with the WNBA as we move through this process.”
— Patrick Fertitta, Rockets Alternate Governor
“Mohegan owes an enormous amount of gratitude first and foremost to our extraordinary fans cheering on the team for 23 incredible seasons. This team — and what the talented women who have worn this uniform over the years have meant to Mohegan Sun, our region and the impact they’ve made both on and off the court, has been nothing short of remarkable.”
— Joe Soper, Corresponding Secretary for the Mohegan Tribal Council
“The Connecticut Sun organization understands how emotional this moment is for our fans and community. You have made a home for this franchise for generations, and we are grateful for the passion and support that made us a cornerstone team in the WNBA. While the league continues to grow and evolve, our commitment is to honor this legacy—and finishing this final season together with pride.”
— Jen Rizzotti, Connecticut Sun President and UConn national champion player
“This is an exciting time for our organization as we welcome the WNBA back to the City of Houston and revive the legacy of the Comets. The momentum and enthusiasm have been evident through the overwhelming interest from fans and the business community, all eager to support the return of this franchise.”
— Gretchen Sheirr, President of Business Operations for the Houston Comets
What’s next
The sale of the Connecticut Sun franchise to Tilman Fertitta’s Fertitta Entertainment is pending league approval. If approved, the team will be rebranded as the Houston Comets and is expected to begin play at the Toyota Center for the 2027 WNBA season.
The takeaway
The return of the Houston Comets franchise is a significant moment for the WNBA, as the Comets were one of the league’s most successful and iconic teams during its early years. While the loss of the Connecticut Sun is emotional for the team’s loyal fans, the sale marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for professional women’s basketball in Houston.