Rockets owners reportedly in talks to buy, relocate Connecticut Sun

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.

16. Sacramento Monarchs center/forward Yolanda Griffith won MVP in 1999.

15. Connecticut Sun forward Jonquel Jones won MVP in 2021.

14. Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike won MVP in 2016.

13. Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings won MVP in 2011.

12. Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles won MVP in 2012.

11. Chicago Sky guard/forward Elena Delle Donne won MVP in 2015 and 2019.

10. Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi won MVP in 2009.

9. Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles won MVP in 2017.

8. Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart won MVP in 2018 and 2023.

7. Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker won MVP in 2008 and 2013.

6. Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore won MVP in 2014.

5. Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson won MVP in 2003, 2007 and 2010.

4. Los Angeles Sparks center Lisa Leslie won MVP in 2001, 2004 and 2006.

3. Houston Comets guard Sheryl Swoopes won MVP in 2000, 2002 and 2005.

2. Houston Comets guard Cynthia Cooper won the MVP award in 1997 and 1998.

1. Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson won MVP in 2020, 2022 and 2024.

All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16

16. Sacramento Monarchs center/forward Yolanda Griffith won MVP in 1999.

All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16

16. Sacramento Monarchs center/forward Yolanda Griffith won MVP in 1999.

All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16

15. Connecticut Sun forward Jonquel Jones won MVP in 2021.

All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16

14. Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike won MVP in 2016.

All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16

13. Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings won MVP in 2011.

All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16

12. Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles won MVP in 2012.

All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16

11. Chicago Sky guard/forward Elena Delle Donne won MVP in 2015 and 2019.

All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16

10. Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi won MVP in 2009.

All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16

9. Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles won MVP in 2017.

All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16

8. Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart won MVP in 2018 and 2023.

All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16

7. Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker won MVP in 2008 and 2013.

All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16

6. Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore won MVP in 2014.

All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16

5. Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson won MVP in 2003, 2007 and 2010.

All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16

4. Los Angeles Sparks center Lisa Leslie won MVP in 2001, 2004 and 2006.

All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16

3. Houston Comets guard Sheryl Swoopes won MVP in 2000, 2002 and 2005.

All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16

2. Houston Comets guard Cynthia Cooper won the MVP award in 1997 and 1998.

All-time WNBA MVPs, ranked 1-16

1. Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson won MVP in 2020, 2022 and 2024.

"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