From Houston’s Return to Leadership Overhaul: Bold Moves the WNBA Needs for Expansion and Evolution

The WNBA needs to return to Houston while expanding its league

By Mykell Mathieu

The biggest sports leagues in the United States are known for their most legendary franchises. The NBA has the Lakers and Celtics, the MLB has the Dodgers and Yankees, the NFL has the Cowboys and Steelers, and the NHL has the Canadians and Red Wings.

These premier teams are also the most successful teams in their respective leagues. These types of teams have so much history and have some of the greatest players ever attached to their history.

If the WNBA wants to follow this trend, it is time for the league to bring back the Houston Comets!

The Houston Comets were one of the original WNBA franchises, which lasted from 1997 to 2008. During that time, the Comets had the most wins in the W and won the league’s first four championships.

Superstar players Sheryl Swoopes, Cynthia Cooper, and Tina Thompson were the faces of the franchise and are some of the biggest WNBA names to this day. This history means Houston is easily still one of the most historical teams in the WNBA.

I like the addition of Golden State in 2025 with Portland and Toronto in 2026 because the league needs and deserves more teams. The WNBA’s original plan was to introduce four new expansion teams into the league by 2028, and they’re 75% there. 

WNBA Commissioner Kathy Englebert has mentioned several other cities that are in the running. With the league’s newfound popularity, several cities and celebrities are clamoring for a piece of the pie. 

Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes wants to own a team in Kansas City. Cleveland is looking to return a team to the league. The Milwaukee Bucks owners want to add a team in Milwaukee. Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum wants to bring a team to his hometown, St. Louis. Philadelphia wants to add a team to their great sports city. Even Austin, Texas, is looking to add a team to the growing league.

But Houston is a true sports city and deserves the return of the Comets. Houston has five professional major league teams: the Houston Astros (MLB), Houston Texans (NFL), Houston Rockets (NBA), Houston Dynamo FC (MLS), and Houston Dash (NWSL). 

 It’s time to make it six, and Houston is ready for the franchise’s return. Tilman Fertitta, owner of the Houston Rockets, has reportedly been in “active” talks with the WNBA to revive the Comets and bring a WNBA team back to Texas.

When it comes to sports, history is just as important as the future, and the WNBA needs its original ‘greatest’ franchise back in the mix.

Here’s to hoping that Houston won’t have a problem bringing the return of the Comets by 2028.

What’s next for the W?

by Eric Lampkin

What if LeBron James, the media’s golden calf athlete of the new millennium, decided to anchor a WNBA franchise? As a WNBA owner and an NBA superstar of the present and eventually past, he would change perceptions around women’s basketball and give the league visibility and legitimacy. 

However, the WNBA needs more than name recognition; it needs storytelling, marketing, and growth—something the league desperately needs to embrace if it hopes to seize the public’s imagination at the level its talent warrants.

The NBA’s rise to prominence in the 1980s wasn’t merely about basketball but about narratives. Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird wasn’t just Lakers vs. Celtics; it was urban vs. rural, Black vs. white, a cultural clash underscored by supreme athleticism and capitalized by salivating corporations. 

Today, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese signal a similar opportunity. Their collegiate clashes sparked an avalanche of interest impassioned by rivalry, attitude, and talent. This is why the WNBA must use the passion of this rivalry by telling more compelling stories and embracing its players’ personalities rather than relying solely on the game’s purity.

The WNBA has to consider how it purports itself, starting with its uniforms. Why not collaborate with brands that celebrate and empower women? Imagine Fenty crafting a bold, unapologetic campaign centered around WNBA players or Dior reimagining sideline warmups into couture statements. Such partnerships would elevate the league’s image and cachet, positioning it as a cultural and couture force rather than just a sports entity.

Local collaborations would provide immediacy and exclusivity. Envision limited-edition jerseys and merchandise by Supreme or The Marathon Continues, sold only at halftime, creating a surge of in-stadium attendance and demand. These creative alignments would bring the WNBA into the mainstream conversation and make it aspirational for younger fans.

Innovative marketing strategies can deepen the connection between fans and players. AI-powered fan experiences—like real-time stats overlays or augmented reality courtside views—could make each game an event. 

Authenticity must remain central for the league. The WNBA has uniquely positioned itself as a beacon of inclusivity, reflecting a spectrum of gender identities and sexual orientations. By going behind the curtain and openly showcasing players’ personal lives, interests, and struggles—mental health, family, and hobbies—the WNBA can craft team-centric content for more profound and meaningful stories. These are the threads that build fanaticism and generational loyalty.

International interest in basketball is skyrocketing, and the WNBA must expand its global reach. Tapping into untapped markets and elevating international stars could mirror the NBA’s success with icons like Yao Ming, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Luka Dončić.

On the court, the WNBA needs to embrace innovation. Lowering rims to nine feet for the All-Star game would bring a dunking spectacle into the WNBA’s orbit, drawing in casual fans and creating viral moments. 

The WNBA already plays with a smaller ball and a closer three-point line than their male counterparts; lowering the rims is the next step in a logical conclusion. The dunk has become synonymous with basketball’s highlight culture; incorporating it meaningfully into the game will transform perceptions of the league. Staggering game start times, like the NBA’s scheduling, could also prevent audience fragmentation and increase viewership.

The WNBA is on the cusp of something extraordinary. It has the talent and the potential, but now it needs the audacity to break the mold. The league can transform into a powerhouse by embracing bold partnerships, elevating the entertainment value of its games, and connecting authentically with fans. It’s time to dream bigger, tell better stories, and make the WNBA not just a game but an experience.

Before Expanding, the WNBA Must Address Leadership and Player Safety Concerns

by Jackie Rae

If you travel back far enough on my social media archives, you will see that Mykell Mathieu and I agree. With its history of winning and packed arena, Houston should be the next city to receive a WNBA team. I would even take it one step further and say they should keep the name and revive the history of the Houston Comets.

I’ve also said time and time again that the NBA laid the blueprint; it’s time for the WNBA to improve and follow it. Long before Angle Reese returned the John Cena gesture to Caitlin Clark and ignited the rivalry reminiscent of Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Larry Bird, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert acknowledged the necessity of rivalries in the league.

So, while I am in agreement with both my colleagues, it is not without concern. Let me be clear: racism, hatred, and bigotry are the foundations of our nation. Those sentiments have never lessened; they have become better at hiding in plain sight.

In contrast, the WNBA players have become more resolved to elevate the game and make the world a better place. In doing so, the world has become more dangerous and toxic for them and their families, and the WNBA does not have the leadership to make them safe. When on CNBC and asked about the influx of racist, homophobic, and even threatening comments from those on social media, Commissioner Cathy Englebert said, “If someone’s typing something in and you wouldn’t ask their advice, ignore it.”

While this comment showed a level of wilful ignorance that is flat-out dangerous to the players, Englebert took it one step further by saying, “Corporate partners are stepping up to endorse these players much more so than they were five years ago because they see the benefit of having women and diverse women representing their brand.”

There is no way to spin Englebert’s comment. Her sentiments say racism and homophobia are okay as long as the money keeps rolling in. Sure, Englebert made the copy-and-paste standard issued apology, but make no mistake, an apology is almost always given to calm the rage in others. It is rarely a self-reflexive analysis that results in a change of mindset, attitudes, and behaviors.

As we head into the “Project 2025” era, we can rest assured that the hate spewed at players will escalate. As we’ve seen with the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, online hate can oze out into reality with devastating consequences.

Before the league considers adding any future teams, Cathy Englebert must be relieved of her duties. The WNBA should prioritize having a Commissioner who is reflective of the players, their values, and their safety before naming another expansion team.