UConn Sun Moving to Houston, New Owners

0:00ESPN dropped a bombshell during the Yukon Women's Suite 16 game against North Carolina. The Connecticut Sun are getting sold to a group led by Houston Rockett's owner, Tillman Fertitta, for $300 million. The team will play its last season in Emma Hagen-Sonerina in 2026 and relocate to Houston starting in 2027. The deal still needs approval from the WNBA Board of Governors. League officials turned down higher offers of $325 million from groups in Boston and Hartford that wanted to keep the sun. In New England, this comes after the Mohagan Tribe rescued the franchise over 20 years ago, buying it for about $10 million and moving it from Orlando. Yukon coach, Gino Ariyema, who's built a massive women's basketball fanbase in Connecticut with 12 national titles, spoke out after his teams. He said Connecticut proved it could support the team with a passionate crowd beyond just Huskies fans. Many Yukon stars like Rebecca Lobo and Tina Charles played for the sun and his leaders

1:03of former players too. The sun had strong years, making the playoffs eight straight times and even turning a profit first in the league back in 2010. But lately, they've lagged in facilities and lost stars in free agency, finishing 11 wins and 33 losses last season. There were since 2013, free agents just weren't coming to Unkasville. Now the WNBA's booming with NBA owners snapping up teams like the new ones in Golden State and Portland. Houston skips a relocation fee and Ariyema notes everybody's caching in as the league chases big money. This shift leaves Connecticut fans reeling but the game's evolving fast. You've been listening to Hartford News today, AI-powered local news.