The WNBA offseason just got more fascinating as news of the Connecticut Sun’s sale broke on Friday. As per ESPN’s Alexa Philippou, the team will be relocating to Houston after getting purchased by the Fertitta family, the owners of the Houston Rockets.
Philippou added that the sale, which is valued at $300 million, will lead to the revival of the Houston Comets name. The Comets were an original WNBA franchise that competed in the league from 1997 to 2008.
After finding out this news, fans posted their reactions on social media. Some of them were supportive of the Connecticut Sun’s relocation to Houston, while others questioned why other cities didn’t get at hosting a WNBA team.
“Soo Texas gets two teams while Florida has zero”
“Fertitta family buying the Sun to resurrect the Comets? Tilman must be CRAVING another championship ring. Good luck in H-Town!”
“The @MoheganSun owners should SUE @WNBA for tampering in a fair-market sale of their franchise for $200M less than the Boston group was offering.”
“It seems crazy that Boston doesn’t have a WNBA team I feel like they would have the best fanbase in the league, like all the other leagues”
“The Comets returning to Houston feels like the city is finally getting back a piece of its basketball soul.”
“I hate that it’s either or and not both. Connecticut has been great for the WNBA.”
Philippou added that the Connecticut Sun will be competing in the 2026 WNBA season before relocating to Houston. Barring any major hitches, the Sun’s move to Texas is set to add color to a league that will be rolling out a new CBA and welcoming more expansion teams over the next few years.
“Just So Maddening”: Author Slams Connecticut Sun’s Sale to Fertitta Family
Meanwhile, one author has expressed his disappointment towards the $300 million sale of the Connecticut Sun to the Fertitta family.
Dylan Dittrich, author of “Sneakonomic Growth,” posted a tweet Friday night criticizing the decision.
“Pagliuca’s group reportedly offered $325 million to move the Sun to Boston. A Connecticut group that included Marc Lasry matched that offer. But Fertitta gets the Sun for $25 million less to move to Houston?! Just so maddening. Prioritizing an NBA owner over the Mohegan Tribe.”
Last year, an investor group led by Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca had reached an agreement with the Mohegan Tribe to purchase the Sun for $325 million. However, the deal fell through, opening the door for other entities to try to acquire the WNBA franchise.