Houston Rockets management is in serious discussions to buy the Connecticut Sun and potentially move the WNBA team to Houston. Sources say these talks have been positive. The Rockets have made a stronger offer that the Sun might accept, although no formal agreement is in place yet.
The WNBA has shown a keen interest in returning to Houston, especially after commissioner Cathy Engelbert mentioned the city as a priority during a recent expansion announcement. The Sun have been owned by the Mohegan tribe since 2003, after relocating from Orlando, Florida.
For over a year, the Sun have explored investment options to fund improvements to their infrastructure. Earlier this year, they considered selling the team for $250 million, which is the same amount paid by teams like Cleveland and Detroit when they joined the league in 2023. In July, there was an agreement to sell the Sun for a record $325 million to a group led by former Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca. However, the WNBA blocked this deal, insisting that relocation decisions rest with the league, not individual teams.
More recently, the Sun have looked into having Connecticut state funds buy a minority share of the team, but those discussions have paused. There’s some urgency to find a resolution before WNBA free agency opens. The timeline for this is still unclear as the league and the players’ union are negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement, with a deadline set for January 9.
Historically, Houston was home to the Comets, an iconic franchise that won the first four WNBA championships from 1997 to 2000, featuring legends like Sheryl Swoopes and Cynthia Cooper. The return of a WNBA team to Houston would revive that rich legacy.
Given the increase in WNBA viewership—up by 50% during the 2022 season—returning to Houston could also tap into a larger market. Analysts predict that having NBA ownership for more WNBA teams could lead to greater financial support and a more substantial fanbase. This makes the potential purchase not just a local issue, but a significant move for the league as a whole.
Source link
