What now, Hilton?

I'm not the Houston Comets public relations person; but, I would like to offer some advice to Mr. Hilton Koch, the owner of the WNBA's Houston Comets.

Actually, my thunder was stolen from a person (a Comets' season-ticket holder) earlier this morning on The HRR's message board.

Here's part of what she wrote:

IT'S TIME FOR AN OFFICIAL LETTER TO THE STH'S, from the owner and coach, explaining things to us! For what it's worth...

This statement is in response to Monday's news that forward Sheryl Swoopes, a Houston Comets and women's basketball icon, signed a free-agent contract to play basketball with the Seattle Storm.

Swoopes' decision to sign with Seattle is just the latest change for the Comets' organization. Earlier this year, the Comets announced they would play their home games in Reliant Arena instead of Toyota Center.

Surprisingly, many people (including the media) still do not know the Comets have a new home.

Why not?

Simply put, the Comets have done a poor job keeping their name in the public eye.

Houston's pro soccer franchise, the Houston Dynamo, generates and receives more media attention than the Comets.

Team Texas, the new professional spring football team, has billboards posted across town. Team Texas generated a buzz among the local media by putting together a great draft party a few weeks ago. Their season is about to begin.

Clearly, the Comets fall way behind the Astros, Rockets, and Texans and the major colleges / universities for coverage and attention from the media.

Hilton, women's basketball in Houston (college and professional) is a tree falling in the woods. If people do not know you actually exist, people will forget about you.

Ironically, with Swoopes' signing to leave the Comets and join Seattle yesterday, the Comets have received more publicity and recognition in the city of Houston in the last 24 hours than they received when they announced their move to Reliant Arena.

Hilton, do not pass up opportunities to make your voice heard and your team recognized. Your head coach, Karleen Thompson, needs to be seen and heard in Houston, too.

Comets' fans want to be informed and involved about their favorite team.

If forward Tina Thompson decides not return to the Comets this season, as the same season-ticket holder included in her message board post wrote, "KT (Karleen Thompson) and H (Hilton) can't be serious if they think a team will survive without Tina."

A pro team being out of sight and out of mind won't be a pro team for very long.