'We deserve a team’: Connecticut fans question WNBA’s decision to move Sun

Heather Burns, USA TODAYMon, May 4, 2026 at 10:06 AM UTC

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UNCASVILLE, CT − Connecticut Sun fans stood in long lines for autographs from their favorite players at the WNBA team's annual open practice and meet-and-greet to kick off the 2026 season at Mohegan Sun arena in late April.

Nearly 1,500 season-ticket holders collected signatures from the newest roster members − legendary center Brittney Griner and UCLA national champions Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker − and old favorites − UConn grads Aaliyah Edwards and Olivia Nelson-Ododa − alike.

The fans know there won't be many more opportunities like this after the Mohegan Tribe ownership group announced March 30 it would sell the Sun to Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta. While the reported $300 million sale still has to be ratified by the WNBA Board of Governors, its a foregone conclusions Fertitta will move the franchise to Houston ahead of the 2027 season.

"It's disappointing because we have a history here," Myra Amsden, a season-ticket holder from Waterford, Connecticut, who has been coming to games for 20 years.

"The Sun were really robbed it from the tribe. There's too many things that are not right about this whole thing. And it's embarrassing, I think, for the WNBA."

The tribe had agreed to sell to former Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca for $325 million in July 2025. He had planned to move the team to Boston. Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry matched the $325 million and wanted to relocate the team to Hartford. The WNBA said no to both proposals, saying neither group made a bid for expansion in the last round so they were not eligible to buy the Sun.

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The WNBA announced expansion to Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030) in July 2025. At the time, commissioner Cathy Engelbert made it clear the league wanted to return to Houston sooner than later.

“One of those I wanted to shout out because they have such a strong history in this league, and they’re a great ownership group — Houston. … That’s the one we have our eye on,” Engelbert said at the time. “Tilman (Fertitta) has been a great supporter of the WNBA, and we’ll stay tuned on that.

“Houston would be up next for sure. There might be opportunities there.”

The opportunity comes at the expense of Sun fans. The Mohegan Tribe bought the franchise, formerly the Orlando Miracle, in 2003 for $10 million. They have played in Connecticut for 24 seasons. Mike Greer and his wife, Asia, have had season tickets for two years but have been coming to games for much longer.

"I feel like a sore loser," said Greer, who's 5-year-old daughter, Autumn, was waiting in line with him for autogrpahs. "I've been mad. ... It's not even bittersweet. It's just bitter. There's no silver lining."

Asia Greer added: "It doesn't seem like a good business deal as the league is appreciating. The WNBA just did whatever they wanted. It's really sad how they snatched the team away."

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Jenny Trerice has been coming to Sun games since she was 15, "when they first existed." She reminisced about the many players − from Nykesha Sales and Lindsey Whalen to DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas − who she's cheered for over the years.

"For it to be such a big basketball place and for them to say, 'We'll be gone in less than a year,'" Trerice said. "It shocked me, but it didn't. It definitely more hurt me than anything ... it seems like almost no loyalty."

Trerice attends games with her mom, Jennifer, who lamented the loss of the team and the opportunity to spend time with her daughter.

"This is like some some mom-kid bonding time that's gonna be taken away," Jennifer said. "I cherish it."

Connecticut calls itself the basketball capital of the world, thanks to 18 national championships combined between the UConn men's and women's basketball teams. The Sun never won a title but did make the playoffs 17 times and WNBA Finals four times in their history.

“Connecticut deserves to have a team, because we’re a proven (place) where people will support women’s basketball,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said in March. “So them now moving, I think it leaves a void. They had a great fanbase, and it wasn’t only UConn fans or fans only went when UConn players came.

“They did a great job of establishing their own fanbase, and it was a rabid fanbase that provided a lot of energy and a lot of passion for those teams.”

As season ticket holders stood for up to a half an hour to meet their favorite player, longtime season-ticket holder Angel Earle said the event, where you "used to be able to get every player" has grown so much now you have to pick three or four players to target. Seeing the fanbase grow but being unable to keep the Sun in Connecticut is "frustrating."

Earle, who is well-known among the Connecticut fans for sitting courtside in colorful costumes and leading cheers, said she will continue to root for the W but doesn't look forward to having to take a road trip to see a game live.

"The New York Liberty will be the closest (WNBA team) but, I think before I start traveling all that way, I'll probably move back to Jersey first," Earle said.

"When I am retired ... maybe I'll move to Texas (to support the Houston Comets). Who knows?"

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Connecticut Sun fans devastated by Houston move, savor final season

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