HOUSTON, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- The WNBA board of governors has approved the sale of the Houston Comets to a group led by Hilton Koch, owner and president of Hilton Furniture & Mattress.
Koch is known for his marketing prowess and for growing his company into one of Houston's most successful and recognizable businesses, while garnering national media attention for popular and memorable advertising campaigns.
"I am confident that Hilton and his vision for the Houston Comets and his passion for the team and the community will continue to elevate the high standards that have been set," said WNBA president Donna Orender.
Koch will be the league's fifth independent franchise owner. The others are Connecticut, Washington, Chicago and Los Angeles.
The Houston franchise has won four WNBA titles.
The WNBA team in Charlotte folded in December when its parent NBA team announced it would no longer back the Sting, and an independent investor could not be found.
