A deal to acquire and relocate the Connecticut Sun would see the WNBA return to Houston for the first time since 2008, reviving one of the league’s most successful early franchises.
Houston Rockets owner Tilman J. Fertitta has reached an agreement, through his company Fertitta Entertainment, to acquire the Connecticut Sun, with plans to relocate the franchise to Houston and revive the historic Houston Comets identity.
Pending approval from the WNBA, the team is expected to begin play at the Toyota Center from the start of the 2027 season.
“My family and I are thrilled for the opportunity to bring the Houston Comets back to this incredible city,” said Patrick Fertitta, Alternate Governor of the Rockets. “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.”
The Houston Comets were one of the WNBA’s original eight franchises and remain one of the most decorated teams in the league’s history. Between 1997 and 2000, the franchise won four consecutive championships, establishing an early dynasty led by Hall of Fame players including Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson.
The team ceased operations in 2008 following ownership and financial challenges, leaving Houston without a WNBA franchise for nearly two decades.
Expansion momentum continues
The proposed relocation comes amid a broader period of expansion and investment across the WNBA, as the league seeks to capitalise on rising attendance, viewership and commercial interest in women’s sport.
Recent seasons have seen strong growth indicators. Opening weekend figures for the 2025 campaign showed arenas operating near capacity across multiple markets, while broadcast audiences have also trended upwards, reflecting increased demand from both fans and media partners.
The league has already committed to expansion, with new franchises set to enter in markets including San Francisco and Portland later this decade, signalling a strategic push to broaden geographic reach and commercial footprint.
Within this context, relocating an existing franchise rather than launching a new expansion team offers a faster route to market, while leveraging an established brand with historical resonance.
Commercial and brand implications for Fertitta
For Fertitta Entertainment, the move would consolidate its presence in Houston’s professional basketball ecosystem, aligning an NBA and WNBA franchise under the same ownership structure and venue.
Gretchen Sheirr, President of Business Operations, said the response from stakeholders had already highlighted the commercial potential of the project.
“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,” she said. “It is a true testament to the continued growth and investment in women’s sports, which deserve a place on the world’s biggest stages.”
The revival of the Comets brand is also notable. Unlike new expansion identities, the return of a legacy franchise offers immediate recognition, particularly in a market with a proven track record of success and fan engagement in women’s basketball.
