The Houston Comets' return is just about six months away and when they take the court, their games will be available for fans to watch on over-the-air TV for free.
The Comets and Tegna announced a multi-year partnership Thursday that will make Houston CBS affiliate KHOU and also KTBU the local broadcast homes of Houston's WNBA team. Comets games also will be simulcast on Space City Home Network and streamed on the regional sports network's site SCHN+.
As part of the partnership, KHOU (channel 11), which will simulcast select games with every locally available game televised by KTBU (channel 55), also will produce Comets content throughout the year.
Tegna, the owner of KHOU, also has local broadcasting rights for the Indiana Fever and Dallas Wings in those teams' home markets.
"The Comets' return to Houston is a big moment for the city, and we're proud to be part of it," Tegna's senior vice president and head of sports rights Brad Ramsey said. "This partnership expands our WNBA footprint and lets us connect the team with the community, bringing fans closer to the Comets on and off the court, all year."
The original Comets were an immediate WNBA dynasty. As one of the first eight franchises when the league tipped off in 1997, the Comets, led by future Basketball Hall of Famers Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson, won the first four WNBA championships. However, interest waned a decade later and after ownership and arena changes, the Comets folded at the end of 2008 when owner Hilton Koch couldn't find a buyer willing to meet his $10 million price tag to sell the team.
The WNBA has experienced a popularity explosion since and Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta agreed to buy the Connecticut Sun for $300 million earlier this year and move them to Houston, rebranding them as the Comets. The team will begin play at Toyota Center in 2027.
"Bringing the Comets back to Houston is about reigniting the passion, pride and energy that have always connected this organization with its fans and community," Rockets and Comets president of business operations Gretchen Sheirr said. "As the WNBA continues to reach new heights, we're thrilled to partner with Tegna to make Comets basketball more accessible to fans across the Houston area through free, over-the-air broadcasts on KTBU and additional coverage on KHOU. We're excited to bring fans closer to the action and deliver outstanding coverage as we begin this exciting new chapter in Comets history."
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There’s more to Houston with the Chronicle. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at Houston Comets, Tegna reach local TV deal to broadcast WNBA team's games on free over-the-air TV.