Rockets owners reportedly in talks to buy, relocate Connecticut Sun
- - Rockets owners reportedly in talks to buy, relocate Connecticut Sun
Meghan L. Hall, USA TODAY December 20, 2025 at 2:13 AM
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The push to bring the WNBA back to the city of Houston, where one of the league's original franchises won four championships, is becoming more intense.
According to a new ESPN report, the Houston Rockets ownership group is in "substantive" talks with the Connecticut Sun to purchase and relocate the franchise. Talks have been described as "positive," while Rockets ownership works on a purchase offer that is acceptable to the Sun. While an exclusivity agreement has not been signed, and a decision has not been made on the franchise's, a formal offer has been discussed.
USA TODAY has reached out to the WNBA for comment.
News of the Rockets' offer comes almost six months after WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert specifically called out Houston during a June 30 expansion team announcement for Detroit, Cleveland and Philadelphia. Houston did not receive a bid at the time after entering into the picture later in the process.
Sacramento Monarchs center/forward Yolanda Griffith won MVP in 1999.
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Sacramento Monarchs center/forward Yolanda Griffith won MVP in 1999.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/RwBigz7wsOdZ7I_3M0GOGw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODY0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3a2f72d43566876b3395db887b51139e class=caas-img data-headline="All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16" data-caption=" -
Sacramento Monarchs center/forward Yolanda Griffith won MVP in 1999.
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Sacramento Monarchs center/forward Yolanda Griffith won MVP in 1999.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/RwBigz7wsOdZ7I_3M0GOGw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODY0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3a2f72d43566876b3395db887b51139e class=caas-img> -
Connecticut Sun forward Jonquel Jones won MVP in 2021.
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Connecticut Sun forward Jonquel Jones won MVP in 2021.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/AsBvubUl0.heK9HWr3uaag--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03NzU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/dcfe6de9feffbca689fc0739fbf4e489 class=caas-img data-headline="All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16" data-caption=" -
Connecticut Sun forward Jonquel Jones won MVP in 2021.
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Connecticut Sun forward Jonquel Jones won MVP in 2021.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/AsBvubUl0.heK9HWr3uaag--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03NzU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/dcfe6de9feffbca689fc0739fbf4e489 class=caas-img> -
Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike won MVP in 2016.
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Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike won MVP in 2016.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1s7zbmDPNowY65r2l2Xm1w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9e3f80e5684b62cecb4a47f1ffa22a8c class=caas-img data-headline="All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16" data-caption=" -
Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike won MVP in 2016.
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Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike won MVP in 2016.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1s7zbmDPNowY65r2l2Xm1w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9e3f80e5684b62cecb4a47f1ffa22a8c class=caas-img> -
Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings won MVP in 2011.
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Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings won MVP in 2011.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/G22M7uzrH15LsTBoJgmVZg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9d43f427536a917d785ad5f395bd7ed6 class=caas-img data-headline="All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16" data-caption=" -
Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings won MVP in 2011.
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Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings won MVP in 2011.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/G22M7uzrH15LsTBoJgmVZg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9d43f427536a917d785ad5f395bd7ed6 class=caas-img> -
Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles won MVP in 2012.
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Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles won MVP in 2012.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rWmeKNn.aV5jyvWZyF9nbw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNTE5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4bacdebaad8a93b35127a0cfb5478702 class=caas-img data-headline="All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16" data-caption=" -
Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles won MVP in 2012.
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Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles won MVP in 2012.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rWmeKNn.aV5jyvWZyF9nbw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNTE5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4bacdebaad8a93b35127a0cfb5478702 class=caas-img> -
Chicago Sky guard/forward Elena Delle Donne won MVP in 2015 and 2019.
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Chicago Sky guard/forward Elena Delle Donne won MVP in 2015 and 2019.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uS9a5fnbwOL3m7ABv3usWg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04OTY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b06e8c4528caec92e8ba9333d3ca6f5e class=caas-img data-headline="All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16" data-caption=" -
Chicago Sky guard/forward Elena Delle Donne won MVP in 2015 and 2019.
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Chicago Sky guard/forward Elena Delle Donne won MVP in 2015 and 2019.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uS9a5fnbwOL3m7ABv3usWg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04OTY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b06e8c4528caec92e8ba9333d3ca6f5e class=caas-img> -
Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi won MVP in 2009.
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Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi won MVP in 2009.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rI8rh1Leavmluj90sO3Q2A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NDU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c22963a7e890bff4bbb0ecd2b957130e class=caas-img data-headline="All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16" data-caption=" -
Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi won MVP in 2009.
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Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi won MVP in 2009.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rI8rh1Leavmluj90sO3Q2A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NDU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c22963a7e890bff4bbb0ecd2b957130e class=caas-img> -
Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles won MVP in 2017.
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Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles won MVP in 2017.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/pMYTnFE1ieYh4bfb1batAg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/7f8d4c2087f4420fff5d08cf664cd576 class=caas-img data-headline="All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16" data-caption=" -
Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles won MVP in 2017.
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Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles won MVP in 2017.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/pMYTnFE1ieYh4bfb1batAg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/7f8d4c2087f4420fff5d08cf664cd576 class=caas-img> -
Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart won MVP in 2018 and 2023.
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Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart won MVP in 2018 and 2023.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/HMPRObTjELXp6qj_yPAwFQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05MDY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/164fce01a33c220d2ab43fbdfb935e7d class=caas-img data-headline="All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16" data-caption=" -
Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart won MVP in 2018 and 2023.
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Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart won MVP in 2018 and 2023.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/HMPRObTjELXp6qj_yPAwFQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05MDY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/164fce01a33c220d2ab43fbdfb935e7d class=caas-img> -
Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker won MVP in 2008 and 2013.
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Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker won MVP in 2008 and 2013.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/mZCmrh7aK96JTdX.b6sP.A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3c6cf891166e1ea0d3e21b67cc151592 class=caas-img data-headline="All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16" data-caption=" -
Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker won MVP in 2008 and 2013.
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Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker won MVP in 2008 and 2013.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/mZCmrh7aK96JTdX.b6sP.A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3c6cf891166e1ea0d3e21b67cc151592 class=caas-img> -
Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore won MVP in 2014.
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Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore won MVP in 2014.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/sG686j94ddwiesFl89Kpjw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2d28b2dd6261eac55da81dce4ef49c04 class=caas-img data-headline="All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16" data-caption=" -
Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore won MVP in 2014.
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Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore won MVP in 2014.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/sG686j94ddwiesFl89Kpjw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2d28b2dd6261eac55da81dce4ef49c04 class=caas-img> -
Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson won MVP in 2003, 2007 and 2010.
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Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson won MVP in 2003, 2007 and 2010.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/b8a7dAB9i1emOY7TrDJqTg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3a18571cc5f5aa8e3fb2e0974b1f98f4 class=caas-img data-headline="All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16" data-caption=" -
Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson won MVP in 2003, 2007 and 2010.
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Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson won MVP in 2003, 2007 and 2010.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/b8a7dAB9i1emOY7TrDJqTg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3a18571cc5f5aa8e3fb2e0974b1f98f4 class=caas-img> -
Los Angeles Sparks center Lisa Leslie won MVP in 2001, 2004 and 2006.
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Los Angeles Sparks center Lisa Leslie won MVP in 2001, 2004 and 2006.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/F0Kt9Y6zVwwRstfmp.GWvw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05MzU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a5e8f61683fde2083b3a0a8228f3b2d6 class=caas-img data-headline="All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16" data-caption=" -
Los Angeles Sparks center Lisa Leslie won MVP in 2001, 2004 and 2006.
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Los Angeles Sparks center Lisa Leslie won MVP in 2001, 2004 and 2006.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/F0Kt9Y6zVwwRstfmp.GWvw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05MzU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a5e8f61683fde2083b3a0a8228f3b2d6 class=caas-img> -
Houston Comets guard Sheryl Swoopes won MVP in 2000, 2002 and 2005.
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Houston Comets guard Sheryl Swoopes won MVP in 2000, 2002 and 2005.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/vs87hZZjrWBDVMiHI8M6nA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNTkz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/aeefe5a377bd872335173b717f30da9d class=caas-img data-headline="All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16" data-caption=" -
Houston Comets guard Sheryl Swoopes won MVP in 2000, 2002 and 2005.
"> -
Houston Comets guard Sheryl Swoopes won MVP in 2000, 2002 and 2005.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/vs87hZZjrWBDVMiHI8M6nA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNTkz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/aeefe5a377bd872335173b717f30da9d class=caas-img> -
Houston Comets guard Cynthia Cooper won the MVP award in 1997 and 1998.
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Houston Comets guard Cynthia Cooper won the MVP award in 1997 and 1998.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/.HdI8IyqBBPEK4bpCmR3eg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNTcw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a5581a6b348f39339a28c25a678e9d06 class=caas-img data-headline="All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16" data-caption=" -
Houston Comets guard Cynthia Cooper won the MVP award in 1997 and 1998.
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Houston Comets guard Cynthia Cooper won the MVP award in 1997 and 1998.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/.HdI8IyqBBPEK4bpCmR3eg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNTcw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a5581a6b348f39339a28c25a678e9d06 class=caas-img> -
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson won MVP in 2020, 2022 and 2024.
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Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson won MVP in 2020, 2022 and 2024.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/aoEay8EVgjwuQMgwatl28A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e8f0b369c13d234f05f5dc8e464f4fbe class=caas-img data-headline="All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16" data-caption=" -
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson won MVP in 2020, 2022 and 2024.
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Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson won MVP in 2020, 2022 and 2024.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/aoEay8EVgjwuQMgwatl28A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e8f0b369c13d234f05f5dc8e464f4fbe class=caas-img>
1 / 16All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16 -
Sacramento Monarchs center/forward Yolanda Griffith won MVP in 1999.
"There are a variety of cities that obviously bid, and one of those I wanted to shout out 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 last several months, the Sun have explored options to "strategically invest in the team," including a potential sale. In August, reports surfaced that a group led by Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca had reached a deal to buy the Sun for a record $325 million and relocate the franchise to Boston. However, the WNBA reportedly blocked the deal, saying cities that applied for expansion first "have priority over Boston."
Sun ownership then attempted to present multiple options to the WNBA in an attempt to salvage a deal to sell the team, including a plan that would allow the state of Connecticut to buy a stake in the team to keep the Sun there. According to the latest report from ESPN, there is a growing hope that Connecticut's future can be determined before the start of the 2026 free agency period.
However, the date of free agency remains to be seen and cannot move forward until a new league CBA is in place. The WNBA and WNBA Players Association agreed to a January 9 deadline, but a recent vote to strike should talks continue as they are could further complicate negotiations.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Houston Rockets owners in talks to buy, move WNBA's Connecticut Sun
Source: “AOL Sports”
