Connecticut Sun Rebranded as Houston Comets
The franchise will relocate to Houston for the 2027 season following a recent ownership change.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Basketball
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The Connecticut Sun franchise will officially rebrand as the Houston Comets starting in the 2027 season. Team President Jennifer Rizzotti will relocate to Houston with the organization following the purchase of the team by Tilman J. Fertitta.
Why it matters
The relocation serves as a major franchise identity shift for the team, which has operated in Connecticut for 23 years. The move marks a return to the market for the franchise, which previously operated as the Orlando Miracle before its time in the Northeast.
The franchise concludes its 23-year history with 16 total playoff appearances. The team finished the 2026 season with a 10-32 record, following an 11-33 campaign in 2025.
The players
Jennifer Rizzotti
She has served as the president of the Connecticut Sun since 2021 and was a former player at the University of Connecticut.
Tilman J. Fertitta
He is a prominent businessman who purchased the Connecticut Sun franchise from the Mohegan Tribe in May 2026.
The details
Team President Jennifer Rizzotti, who played for the University of Connecticut from 1992 to 1996, will move to Texas to lead the newly christened Houston Comets. Rizzotti was notably drafted by the original Houston Comets in 1999 as the 48th overall pick.
Timeline
1992-1996: Jennifer Rizzotti played basketball at UConn.
May 2026: Tilman J. Fertitta purchased the Connecticut Sun.
September 24, 2026: Final game at Mohegan Sun Arena.
2027 season: The team officially relocates to Houston.
Season Trajectory
This rebranding marks a departure from the franchise's 23-year history in Connecticut and re-establishes a legacy name in the league. The relocation will fundamentally reset the competitive balance for the organization as it transitions to a new home market.
The franchise will play its final game in Connecticut at the Mohegan Sun Arena on September 24, 2026. Fans of the team will see the organization transition to a new regional identity in Houston by the 2027 season.
The takeaway
The return of the Comets name to Houston signals a strategic effort to capitalize on local basketball history and team branding. Fans should prepare for a complete change in team identity as the franchise departs its long-time home at the end of the 2026 season.
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