Comets for sale

Want to buy a WNBA team? Here's your chance, as long as you promise to keep them in Houston.

"After a lot of discussion and trying to figure out what's best for the Comets organization, [owner Les] Alexander has decided to put the team up for sale and see if there are any local buyers out there who might be interested," said Tad Brown, senior vice president of sales, marketing and broadcasting for the Comets and NBA's Houston Rockets. "Ideally, (the sale) would be (to local investors).

"There are a few people who have expressed interest, and we'll continue to talk with those people. We're going to evaluate each opportunity on its own."

Brown said Alexander wants to concentrate his efforts on the operation of the Rockets. Once they're sold, the Comets will follow a trend in the WNBA, disassociating themselves from the NBA franchise that had facilitated their existence.

Brown wouldn't divulge the potential local investors or price tag. Recent sales of some WNBA franchises have netted as much as $10 million.

"We haven't set any deadline," Brown said. "We're going to look at it over the course of the next few months to see what shakes out."

I've been a Comets season ticket holder for seven years. I got an email about this Wednesday afternoon, which I've reprinted beneath the fold.

The Comets won the league's first four championships from 1997-2000 and remain the only dynasty in the league's 10-year history.

But since joining the parent Rockets in a move from Compaq Center to Toyota Center three years ago, the Comets have seen ticket sales dwindle and 20-win seasons cease.

The good news for the Comets and their future owner is that the fans they have are loyal and rabid. The souvenir shop sells plenty of Comets merchandise, and the fans really get into the game. It's a fun atmosphere to be in. I've taken Olivia a few times, and plan to continue to do that as she gets older. She definitely enjoys herself at the games, even if she doesn't quite get what they're all about yet. But believe me, you ain't seen cute till you've seen Olivia cheer "Go Comets, go!"

The bad news, of course, is that there just aren't as many fans as there used to be. Maybe too many people wre spoiled by the four straight championships, maybe the novelty factor for women's basketball was higher than we thought, maybe people don't like the Toyota Center experience as much as the old Compaq Center; I don't know why that would be the case, as I think the Toyota Center is a vast improvement, but maybe that's just me. I see no reason why the Comets can't contiue to be viable - the basic product is good, the overall experience is enjoyable, and the price is right. Maybe new ownership will market them more aggressively, I don't know. I do know that I want them to succeed, and I believe they can. I'm reasonably optimistic here. We'll see who steps up to make the purchase.

Email to Comets season ticket holders:

Dear Charles,

In recent days you may have read or heard through various published media reports about a potential sale of the Houston Comets. As one of our most valued customers, it is important to us that you know that this is a decision made after much discussion and consideration as to what is in the best interest of the entire Comets organization, including our fans.

In recent years, the WNBA has begun to trend towards independent ownership models most notably in markets like Chicago, Connecticut, Washington and Charlotte. It is our feeling that an independent ownership group will be able to provide the appropriate amount of resources, focus and energy to make the Comets and the women’s game in Houston successful. We are proud of what we have accomplished both on and off the court over the past ten seasons and we are hopeful that, as a season ticket holder, you will be impacted as little as possible should a change in ownership occur.

Currently, there is no timeframe for a potential transaction, but we assure you that when we are in a position to share more we will. As things stand, nothing has changed for you or your season tickets. The Comets will need the support of their season ticket holders to be successful regardless of the owner. It is our intention to have the Comets stay in Houston and also at Toyota Center.

We thank you for your ongoing support of the Houston Comets. Please do not hesitate to call our offices at 713-627-WNBA should you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely ,

Andrea B. Young

Posted by Charles Kuffner on October 20, 2006 to Other sports | TrackBack