While the Monarchs mourned the loss of a fellow WNBA franchise Tuesday, coach Jenny Boucek said she remains confident the league is headed in the right direction.
The WNBA made official Tuesday what was learned Monday – that the Houston Comets would close their doors, becoming the league's fifth team to do so since 2002.
The announcement fueled speculation that the league's remaining 13 teams may also be in trouble. WNBA President Donna Orender countered, saying the league is growing and talent is "booming."
However, that doesn't ease the disappointment of Houston becoming the league's fourth original franchise to fold.
"It's sad for me personally, having been a part of the league since the beginning," said Boucek, who played for the now-defunct Cleveland Rockers in 1997. "(The Comets) were such an incredible team, and I was on the losing end of that as a player and coach. There was so much history with that team."
And history will recall the Comets winning the WNBA's first four championships.
Rockets owner Leslie Alexander, the original owner of the franchise, sold the Comets to Houston businessman Hilton Koch in 2007. One year later, the WNBA took over the struggling franchise from Koch in an effort to find a new owner.
Orender said multiple investors came forward, but the transaction could not be completed in time for the 2009 season.
Only four of the eight original WNBA franchises remain, including the Monarchs, New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury and Los Angeles Sparks.
The Maloof family gained the Monarchs in the package deal that included Arco Arena and the Kings.
The Maloofs remain committed to the Monarchs, team spokeswoman Danette Leighton said.
"I don't think there are any owners I would feel more stable working under," Boucek said. "(The Maloofs) believe in what we are doing."
Orender told The Bee in May 2007 up to 15 markets were interested in a WNBA franchise. The league later announced the Atlanta Dream as the newest team for 2008.
Many critics have predicted the fall of the WNBA each year. Orender has refuted such notions, as did Monarchs guard Kara Lawson on Tuesday.
"We have such a strong foundation," Lawson said. "We have Joe and Gavin and the Maloof family completely behind us. That's what holds you steady when a team isn't doing as well or is struggling from a financial perspective."
The Monarchs will have the seventh pick in Monday's dispersal draft. Houston's top prospects, Michelle Snow and veteran Tina Thompson, won't be included as they are unrestricted free agents. Also unavailable in the draft are former Monarchs Hamchétou Maïga-Ba and Latasha Byears, along with Mwadi Mabika.
"I started looking at (the available players)," Boucek said. "We are very pleased with our team if we can get healthy."
Call The Bee's Melody Gutierrez, (916) 326-5521.
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