UNCASVILLE – The Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta’s company, Fertitta Entertainment, has reached an agreement with the Mohegan Tribe to purchase the Connecticut Sun WNBA franchise, pending league approval.
The announcement made by Mohegan and Fertitta confirmed what had been rumored for months after the Mohegan Tribe announced the team was for sale. The franchise, which will revert back to the Houston Comets name, is expected to begin play at Toyota Center for the start of the 2027 WNBA season.
“My family and I are thrilled for the opportunity to bring the Houston Comets back to this incredible city,” said Rockets Alternate Governor Patrick Fertitta. “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.”
More than two decades ago, the Mohegan Tribe became the first independent owner in the WNBA — a reflection of Mohegan’s forward-looking vision to bring a professional women’s basketball team to our reservation. Twenty-three years ago, the tribe purchased and relocated the defunct Orlando Miracle.
“Mohegan owes an enormous amount of gratitude first and foremost to our extraordinary fans cheering on the team for 23 incredible seasons,” said Joe Soper, Corresponding Secretary for the Mohegan Tribal Council. “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. That includes the dedication of our front office and the invaluable collaboration and support we’ve received from the State of Connecticut, as well as from businesses and other community partners across the region and beyond.”
Jen Rizzotti, Connecticut Sun President and UConn national champion player, recognized the loss of the only sustaining major league professional team in the state.
“The Connecticut Sun organization understands how emotional this moment is for our fans and community,” she said. “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.”
For the 2026 WNBA season, Mohegan Sun Arena remains home for the Connecticut Sun. The Sun will also for the first time bring WNBA action to Hartford this season, playing two regular season games at PeoplesBank Arena. A game in Boston at TD Garden is also planned for Tuesday, Aug. 18.
Meanwhile, the Comets fans will get their team back after folding in 2008 due to financial troubles.
“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,” said President of Business Operations Gretchen Sheirr. “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.”
The Houston Comets were one of the WNBA’s original eight franchises and established themselves as one of the greatest dynasties in sports by winning the league’s first four championships. Over 12 seasons of operation from 1997-2008, the Comets made nine playoff appearances and were home to several legends, including Hall of Famers Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, Tina Thompson, and former head coach Van Chancellor.
