The Houston Comets return for the 2027 WNBA season after the league approved the sale and relocation of the Connecticut Sun to Houston. The name brings back the WNBA's first dynasty; the operating franchise arrives from Connecticut.
The WNBA and NBA Boards of Governors unanimously approved Tilman J. Fertitta's purchase of the Connecticut Sun and the team's move to Houston beginning with the 2027 season. The Comets will be owned and operated by Fertitta Entertainment and play at Toyota Center.
TWO HISTORIES MEET IN 2027
Houston's comeback is unusual enough that both trails matter.
The franchise relocating to Houston began as the Orlando Miracle in 1999, became the Connecticut Sun in 2003 and will move to Houston after the 2026 season. Connecticut's official FAQ says Houston receives the rights to player and coach contracts that remain in force at handoff.
The original Houston Comets were one of the WNBA's first eight teams and won the league's first four championships. Houston's official return announcement says the Comets' records and history will carry forward into this next chapter.
HOW THE HANDOFF WORKS
Because Houston is receiving an existing franchise rather than becoming an added team, the roster path is different from Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia.
The Sun remain in Connecticut through the 2026 season before the franchise relocates.
Houston receives rights to any player and coach contracts still held by the franchise when the handoff occurs.
Trades, free agency, the college draft and normal roster decisions will shape the first modern Comets roster. There is no separate Houston expansion draft.
LEADERSHIP CONTINUITY · REPORTED SEPT. 21
Rizzotti, the Connecticut Sun's current team president, told NBC Connecticut that she plans to relocate with the franchise and serve as President of Basketball Operations in Houston. Houston's official Comets site has not yet posted a matching leadership announcement, so We Know the W is labeling this as a directly reported commitment from Rizzotti rather than an official Comets staff release.
Rizzotti is listed by the Sun as Team President. Her basketball résumé includes UConn's 1995 undefeated national championship team, a long coaching career, USA Basketball leadership and front-office work with Connecticut.
Connecticut Sun profile ↗Rizzotti told NBC Connecticut she will move with the franchise and retain a basketball-operations leadership role when the team becomes the Houston Comets in 2027.
NBC Connecticut interview ↗TOYOTA CENTER REIMAGINED
Houston says Toyota Center renovations will include expanded and modernized player spaces ahead of the 2027 season.
THE FOUNDATION
Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, Tina Thompson and head coach Van Chancellor anchored the league's first dynasty. The 2027 team will inherit a name that already carries championship expectations in Houston.
PRIMARY SOURCES