Sun Farewell Win
Connecticut Sun Defeat Toronto in Final Home Game Before Relocating to Houston
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After the final buzzer, president Jennifer Rizzotti thanked the crowd, saying, “You guys have been our family for 24 years” and that fans had proved Connecticut deserved a WNBA team.
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Ashlon Jackson led Connecticut with 18 points, followed by Raegan Beers with 17 and Aaliyah Edwards with 16; Toronto’s Kiki Rice scored a game-high 28.
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For some supporters, the team’s departure meant losing more than a basketball game: longtime fans Richard and Kathleen Geltzer described the Sun as a shared passion, while another fan said attending games helped her sons fall in love with women’s basketball and built a sense of community among fans.
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Aaliyah Edwards said Houston’s rivalry with the Dallas Wings was one of the things she looked forward to, adding, “I can’t wait for that. You know I’m competitive.”
The Connecticut Sun closed their 24-year run in the state on September 24 with a 95-81 victory over the Toronto Tempo at Mohegan Sun Arena. The farewell game drew a sellout crowd of 8,911 fans who came to say goodbye to a franchise that never won a championship but made three WNBA Finals appearances and became a pillar of the community News 12.
The team will relocate to Houston after the 2026 season and rebrand as the Houston Comets in 2027 following Tilman Fertitta's purchase of the franchise. President Jennifer Rizzotti told the crowd, "You guys have been our family for 24 years" and said fans had proved Connecticut deserved a WNBA team AJC.
A Franchise Transformation Worth $300 Million
The Connecticut Sun's value skyrocketed during its time in the state. The team was purchased for $10 million when it arrived in 2003 from Orlando, and sold for $300 million to current owner Tilman Fertitta Lethbridge Herald. This 30-fold increase reflects the growing popularity of women's basketball and the franchise's stability in Connecticut.
The move marks the first relocation of a WNBA franchise since the league's 1996 founding. President Jennifer Rizzotti and general manager Morgan Tuck plan to move with the team to Houston, bringing continuity to the organization despite the geographic shift Voice of Alexandria.
Connecticut's Final Game Ends a Six-Game Losing Streak
The Sun snapped a six-game skid with their farewell victory. Ashlon Jackson led Connecticut with 18 points. Raegan Beers added 17 points and Aaliyah Edwards chipped in 16. Toronto's Kiki Rice scored a game-high 28 points despite the loss News 12.
Longtime Fans Grapple With Loss of Community and Identity
For many supporters, the team's departure meant losing more than basketball games. Longtime season ticket holders Richard and Kathleen Geltzer described the Sun as a shared passion that bonded them for more than two decades. Another fan said attending games helped her sons fall in love with women's basketball Post Register.
The franchise created a tight-knit community among fans who showed up game after game. These supporters now face the reality of either following the team to Houston or losing a major part of their social identity. The farewell atmosphere reflected both celebration of the past 24 years and sadness about what comes next.
Players Eye Fresh Start and Texas Rivalry
Despite the emotional farewell, players expressed optimism about Houston. Aaliyah Edwards said the prospect of rivalry games against the Dallas Wings excited her. "I can't wait for that. You know I'm competitive," she said. Players also looked forward to improved facilities and breaking into a new basketball market.
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