Could Houston be on the brink of reigniting its love affair with the WNBA? The city that once roared for the Houston Comets is buzzing with the possibility of bringing women’s basketball back to the forefront. But here’s where it gets controversial: while the passion is undeniable, the path to revival is riddled with questions about venue size, fan turnout, and the city’s commitment to sustaining a team long-term. Let’s dive in.
Van Chancellor, the mastermind behind the Comets’ four consecutive WNBA championships from 1997 to 2000, still feels the echoes of that dynasty. Now 82, Chancellor was recently inducted into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame, a moment that coincided with growing whispers of a WNBA return. “I don’t go anywhere in this town without hearing about the Comets,” he shared. “And now, all anyone asks is, ‘Can we get a team back?’”
The dream isn’t far-fetched. Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta has been at the forefront of efforts to bring a WNBA expansion team to Houston, though his bid was recently overshadowed by Philadelphia, Detroit, and Cleveland. But there’s another route: the Connecticut Sun are up for sale, and Fertitta-backed Houston investors are reportedly eyeing a purchase. The plan? Rebrand the Sun as the Comets by 2027 or 2028. Is this the comeback Houston deserves, or is it a risky bet?
For Chancellor, the memories of sold-out crowds at the Compaq Center—now home to Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church—are vivid. “This city will support a team,” he insists. “We’d sell 10,000 tickets overnight.” Yet, the Comets’ final years before folding in 2008 tell a different story. Attendance plummeted from over 12,000 per game in 2000 to just 6,500 in their last season. Can Houston sustain the momentum this time around?
Cynthia Cooper, the Comets’ all-time great and four-time Finals MVP, is cautiously optimistic. She acknowledges the challenges, particularly the venue debate. The Toyota Center, with its 18,000-seat capacity, might feel too vast for a WNBA team—unless stars like Caitlin Clark or Angel Reese draw massive crowds. “I’m not sure it’s the best fit,” Cooper admitted. “But Fertitta and the Rockets have the expertise to figure it out.”
Cooper sees the bigger picture: Houston’s status as one of the nation’s largest markets, its basketball legacy, and Fertitta’s commitment to the Comets’ revival. She highlights the Rockets’ state-of-the-art practice facility, which the Comets would share, as a “next-level” advantage. “If we can build a winning team, Houston will rally behind it,” she said. “That’s just how this city works.”
And this is the part most people miss: the Comets weren’t just a team—they were a cultural phenomenon. But their decline raises questions. Is Houston’s passion for women’s basketball a relic of the past, or is it ready for a modern resurgence? Neither Cooper nor Chancellor claims to have all the answers, but they’re united in their belief that a winning team could reignite the flame.
So, what do you think? Is Houston ready to embrace the Comets once again, or are the risks too great? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation about the future of women’s basketball in Space City.
