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REPORT: Rockets ownership in ‘substantive talks’ about relocating WNBA’s Connecticut Sun to Houston

Nearly two decades after the Comets last took the floor, could pro women’s hoops return to Houston?

FILE - The WNBA logo is seen near a hoop before an WNBA basketball game at Mohegan Sun Arena, May 14, 2019, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File) (Jessica Hill, Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Officials from the Houston Rockets’ ownership group are reportedly in “substantive talks” with the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun about relocating the franchise to Houston.

The news was reported on X by ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Alexa Philippou.

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The Sun franchise is one of the WNBA’s oldest teams, forming in 1999 — two years after the league’s inaugural season.

After four seasons as the Orlando Miracle from 1999 to 2002, the team relocated to Uncasville, Connecticut, and became the Connecticut Sun.

SEE ALSO: Comets legend Cynthia Cooper to be inducted into Houston Sports Hall of Fame with star-studded 2024 class

The potential relocation would be the latest move by the WNBA as the league rapidly expands beyond its current 13-franchise model.

The league has already planned for expansion over the next several years, with two teams joining in 2026 (Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo) and three additional teams in the works in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia. All five teams are expected to join by 2030.

Houston’s history with professional women’s basketball was brief but extremely memorable.

The Houston Comets were one of the WNBA’s eight founding teams and famously won four straight WNBA Finals championships in the league’s first four seasons, from 1997 to 2000.

HISTORY RECAP: Houston Comets won 4th WNBA Championship 23 years ago ⛹️‍♀️🏅🏆; Photos here

Team owner Hilton Koch put the team up for sale for $10 million in 2007. After failing to attract investors, the Comets were taken over by WNBA management, and the franchise ultimately disbanded following the 2008 season.


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