The push towards bring the WNBA back to the city of Houstonwhere one of the league’s original franchises won four championships, is becoming more and more intense.
According to a new ESPN ReportTHE Houston Rockets The ownership group is in “substantial” talks with the Connecticut Sun to purchase and relocate the franchise. Negotiations have been described as “positive” as Rockets ownership works on a purchase offer acceptable to the Sun. Although no exclusivity agreements have been signed and no decisions have been made regarding franchising, a formal offer has been discussed.
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USA TODAY has contacted the WNBA for comment.
News of the Rockets’ offer comes nearly six months after WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert specifically called out Houston during the June 30 expansion team announcement for Detroit, Cleveland and Philadelphia. Houston did not receive an offer at the time after entering the picture later in the process.
“There are a variety of cities that obviously applied, and one of the ones I wanted to recognize because they have such a strong history in this league and they are a great ownership group is Houston,” Engelbert said at the time.
Over the past few months, the Sun has explored options to “strategically invest in the team,” including a potential sale. In August, reports surfaced that a group led by Steve Pagliuca, minority owner of the Boston Celtics had reached an agreement to buy the Sun for a record $325 million and relocate the franchise to Boston. However, the The WNBA reportedly blocked the dealclaiming that the cities that requested expansion first “have priority over Boston.“
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Sun ownership then attempted to present several options to the WNBA in an effort to salvage a deal to sell the team, including a plan that would allow the Connecticut State to buy stake in team to keep the Sun there. According to the latest report from ESPN, there is growing hope that Connecticut’s future can be determined before the start of the 2026 free agency period.
However, the free agency date remains to be seen and cannot move forward until a new league CBA is in place. The WNBA and the WNBA Players Association have agreed to a Jan. 9 deadline, but a recent vote in favor of strike If the talks continue like this, it could further complicate the negotiations.
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This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Houston Rockets owners in talks to buy, move WNBA’s Connecticut Sun
