Latham & Watkins Advises Tilman J. Fertitta and Fertitta Entertainment in Acquisition of WNBA Franchise Connecticut Sun

Houston Rockets owner Tilman J. Fertitta’s company, Fertitta Entertainment, has entered into an agreement to purchase the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun, with plans to relocate the franchise to Houston and bring back the historic Houston Comets name. Pending league approval, the franchise is expected to begin play at Toyota Center for the start of the 2027 WNBA season.

Latham & Watkins LLP represents Tilman J. Fertitta and Fertitta Entertainment, Inc. in the transaction with a corporate deal led by New York partner Ian Schuman, Houston partner Nick Dhesi, and Los Angeles partner Kendall Johnson, with associates Ziyad Barghouthy, Justin Reinking, Armaan Bhimani, and Milan Amritraj. Advice was also provided on tax matters by Bay Area partner Katharine Moir, with associate James Aldred; on benefits and compensation matters by Bay Area partner Erin Murphy, with associate Peter Dalmasy and assistance from Amelia Best; on intellectual property matters by Orange County/Los Angeles partner Ghaith Mahmood, with associate Jesse Kirkland; on labor and employment matters by Chicago partner Nineveh Alkhas, with associate Jocelyn Wexler;* on data privacy matters by Bay Area partner Robert Blamires, with associates Stuart Cobb and Jack Bergantino; and on antitrust/HSR matters by Washington, D.C. partner Peter Todaro, with associates Bernie Archbold and Alec Dougherty.

*Admitted to practice in Massachusetts.