While the actual basketball wasn’t up to the franchise’s high standards, the franchise closed its chapter with high hopes for the future and an overwhelming sense of impact thanks to its leadership, especially team president Jennifer Rizzotti.
The former UConn women’s basketball great was awarded for her work with the Sun’s “Sunset Season” Wednesday by earning the WNBA’s 2026 Business Executive Leadership Award, as announced by the league. The award annually recognizes a WNBA team president who has shown “exceptional leadership in driving meaningful business transformation.” Recipients of the award are nominated by their organization and voted on by WNBA team presidents.
Rizzotti joined the Sun in 2021 as its team president and led the franchise through its 2022 WNBA Finals run, a roster and coaching staff overhaul, and its most recent relocation. The Sun franchise relocated to Houston this fall and will be renamed the Houston Comets, resurrecting the former WNBA franchise that won the league’s first four championships.
“I’m humbled that my peers voted to recognize me in this way,” said Rizzotti in a press release. “Over my six seasons with the Sun, I’ve been fortunate to work alongside so many talented and dedicated people across the league. I’m grateful for their support, collaboration, and shared commitment to growing the game and advancing the WNBA. This recognition means a great deal to me, and I share it with the people who made this season and my time with the Sun so meaningful.”
Led by Rizzotti, the Sun honored its history and paid tribute to its former stars during the 2026 season. Connecticut inducted the following former star players and coaches into its Sun Legends: Alyssa Thomas, Jonquel Jones, Tina Charles, Jasmine Thomas, Mike Thibault and Curt Miller. The franchise also hosted a Homecoming Game where former Sun stars were welcomed back to Mohegan Sun Arena, and a Fan Appreciation Night during its final game.
According to Wednesday’s release, under Rizzotti, the Sun’s social content engagement increased by 2,338% year-over-year and generated over 5 million interactions. The Sun also experienced a 50% increase in sellouts, 67.5% growth in partial-plan ticket sales and an increase in group ticket sales under the former Husky’s leadership. Connecticut averaged over 8,700 fans per game during its final season in 2026.
The Sun also spent its final season giving back to the greater Uncasville community through the Connecticut Sun Foundation, raising and reinvesting $140,000 into local communities this year. Connecticut’s community projects included a Habitat for Humanity contribution, restoring a community basketball court, a playground project in Groton and the franchise’s Community Impact Legacy Awards.
“This was an incredibly unique and emotional season for our organization, and one of the most challenging of my career,” said Rizzotti. “We had a responsibility to honor the history of the Connecticut Sun, acknowledge what this team and this community mean to one another, and make our final season in Connecticut something truly special. I’m incredibly proud of what our staff accomplished together and grateful for the passion, creativity, and commitment they brought to this season.
“Most of all, I want to thank our fans, whose loyalty and support never wavered. They are such an important part of this franchise’s legacy, and making this season meaningful for them was at the heart of everything we did.”
Rizzotti is relocating with the Sun franchise to Texas and will retain her role as the Comet’s President of Basketball Operations. Houston/Connecticut tied with the Toronto Tempo for the best odds in the upcoming WNBA Draft Lottery, where USC star JuJu Watkins is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft.
Rizzotti is a Connecticut native and a 2013 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductee. She helped lead UConn to its first national championship in 1995 and, during her WNBA career, helped the Comets win their 1999 and 2000 WNBA championships.