Toyota Center goes green, in talks with nascent hacky sack league

Downtown's stadiums can boast more than just ants in their pants. The Toyota Center is now the first professional sports facility in Texas to earn LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. It's just the fourth NBA arena in the country to follow the LEED.

The designation was awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council directly to the Toyota Center and Houston Rockets. It's a "silver" certification for their existing buildings in recognition of the facility's efforts to conserve energy, water and natural resources

"This certification serves as validation that our aggressive approach to energy management, recycling and waste programs that have made a difference," said Rockets and Clutch City Sports & Entertainment Chief Executive Officer Tad Brown.

"We are operating in a more environmentally conscious manner and educating the millions of patrons that attend Toyota Center events each year regarding ways they can help. Our organization takes great pride in being recognized as one of the country's leading innovators of green practices among sporting and entertainment venues."

Only the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon., home to the Trailblazers has a higher LEED rating, with a gold certification. While the Rockets are relishing the righteous designation, they will soon have to share the stadium with emerging local hacky sack and frisbee golf leagues.