Published on: March 28, 2026, 01:44h.
Updated on: March 28, 2026, 01:46h.
- This signals the revival of the Houston Comets
- The deal is estimated at $300 million
- Tilman Fertitta and family also own the Houston Rockets
Tilman Fertitta and his family are on the verge of acquiring the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun, with plans to move the franchise and rejuvenate the Houston Comets brand.
The proposed acquisition, pending approval from the league’s board of governors, would total $300 million—an all-time high for the WNBA. However, this amount is slightly less than the $325 million deal initially set by former Bain Capital executive Steve Pagliuca last August.
The previous deal with Pagliuca faced delays from WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, primarily because of his intention to relocate the team to Boston without following the required league expansion processes. WNBA decisions on relocations must receive league-wide consent rather than individual ownership preferences, indicating Fertitta must secure approval to shift the Sun to Houston and reboot the Comets brand.
Before dissolving, the Comets established a Houston presence from 1997 to 2008, dominating the league with four consecutive championships within their inaugural four seasons—creating the WNBA’s first true dynasty.
Casino Influence on the Fertitta/Sun Acquisition
The sale involves significant casino implications. The Mohegan tribe, selling the team, runs the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut, which serves as the home venue for the WNBA franchise.
Fertitta Entertainment Inc. (FEI) oversees the Golden Nugget casinos, and reports suggest he is attempting to acquire Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ: CZR). A bid of $34 per share has been made recently, appraising the Horseshoe operator’s equity at about $7 billion.
Despite competing bids from activist investor Carl Icahn and others, Fertitta and Caesars are reportedly engaged in an exclusive 45-day negotiation period.
The news about the Sun acquisition surfaces approximately two years after Fertitta expressed interest in reintroducing the WNBA to Houston and possibly securing an NHL team for the largest city in Texas.
Unique Aspects of Fertitta’s Acquisition of the Sun
If the WNBA approves Fertitta’s deal for the Sun, it’s possible that Golden Nugget sportsbooks may refrain from accepting bets on WNBA games. This follows a precedent from 2017 when the sportsbooks ceased taking wagers on Houston Rockets games after Fertitta bought the team for $2.2 billion.
It’s expected that if Fertitta pursues the acquisition of Caesars, this policy could extend to their sportsbooks, which likely includes wagers on Sun/Comets games.
The Rockets do not fall under the FEI umbrella, suggesting the same limitations would apply to the WNBA team. FEI also operates the Landry’s restaurant brand and the Golden Nugget casinos, owning over 600 dining establishments encompassing diverse brands such as Bubba Gump’s, Chart House, Del Frisco’s, Mastro’s, and Morton’s, among others.