The WNBA Board of Governors voted unanimously Tuesday to approve Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta's acquisition of the Connecticut Sun and the franchise's relocation to Houston for the 2027 season. The deal, first reported in June 2025, values the Sun at approximately $85 million, according to two people familiar with the transaction who requested anonymity because terms were not disclosed publicly.
Fertitta will operate the team out of Toyota Center, the 18,300-seat arena that hosts his NBA franchise. The Sun currently play at Mohegan Sun Arena, a 9,300-capacity facility owned by the Mohegan Tribe in Uncasville, Connecticut. The tribe purchased the franchise in 2003 for roughly $10 million and declined to match Fertitta's offer, citing the economic constraints of operating a standalone venue without an NBA anchor tenant. Connecticut finished second in attendance last season at 7,812 per game, but league sources note the franchise's media rights revenue lagged sixth in the 12-team circuit due to Hartford's 36th-ranked television market.
This marks the third WNBA relocation since October 2024, when the Oakland Roots moved to Salt Lake City and the Atlanta Dream relocated to Nashville. All three moves follow the same pattern: legacy owners in mid-tier markets selling to NBA operators with purpose-built downtown arenas and established corporate sponsorship infrastructure. Fertitta's Toyota Center already hosts 41 Rockets home games, 12 college basketball events, and roughly 30 concerts annually, providing the new Houston franchise immediate access to premium hospitality suites and a season-ticket base conditioned to multi-sport packages. The Rockets sold 14,200 full-season equivalents last year; league officials expect the WNBA team to convert 15-20% of that base in year one.
The approval also resolves an 11-month negotiation that stalled twice over relocation fees. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert initially sought a $25 million relocation payment to fund competitive-balance initiatives, but Fertitta's camp argued the Sun's purchase price already reflected a 40% premium over recent expansion valuations. The final agreement includes a $12 million payment to a newly created league development fund and commits Fertitta to maintaining Connecticut's basketball operations staff through the 2026 season, preserving continuity for a roster that includes three-time All-Star Alyssa Thomas and 2025 Sixth Player of the Year DiJonai Carrington.
The move immediately affects Nike's pending kit renewal with the Sun, currently valued at $1.8 million annually through 2027. Two apparel executives said Nike is expected to renegotiate that deal upward by 30-40% to reflect Houston's larger market and the merchandising potential of pairing the team with the Rockets' red-and-white palette. Fertitta indicated Tuesday the franchise will not carry the "Sun" name to Houston; branding consultants have been retained, and a naming announcement is expected before the 2026 WNBA Draft in April.
The Sun's departure leaves the Mohegan Sun Arena with a significant scheduling gap. The casino-resort complex built the venue in 2001 primarily as a Sun anchor and hosts approximately 120 events per year, generating an estimated $18 million in direct revenue. Tribe officials did not comment Tuesday on alternative programming, though two entertainment industry sources said the venue is in discussions with AEG Live about a residency concert series beginning in 2028.
Fertitta's entry also positions him to bid on WNBA media rights when the league's current $200 million annual package with ESPN and Amazon expires after the 2027 season. He owns Landry's hospitality empire and has discussed launching a regional sports network to bundle Rockets and WNBA broadcasts with Houston Astros games, creating leverage in local cable negotiations. League officials expect rights fees to triple in the next cycle, with Houston's addition to the footprint strengthening the bid from NBC Sports, which already broadcasts 82 Rockets games regionally.
Watch for the remaining independently owned WNBA franchises to test sale valuations before the next Board meeting in July. The Phoenix Mercury, Dallas Wings, and Washington Mystics all operate without NBA partnerships, and Mercury owner Mat Ishbia—who also owns the NBA Suns—has fielded inquiries about splitting the WNBA asset from his basketball portfolio. Fertitta's $85 million price establishes a floor for negotiations, and at least two ownership groups are preparing bids above $100 million for the next available franchise, according to a banker advising one prospective buyer.
The Connecticut Sun play their final season in Uncasville beginning May 2026. Fertitta's Houston team tips off in 2027, the same year the league adds its 13th franchise in Portland.
The takeaway
Fertitta's **$85M** Sun purchase and Houston move sets floor for WNBA valuations as independently owned teams face arena-economics pressure.
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