Houston Super Bowl Reveal

Houston's Super Bowl logo revealed — and it's a surprise look no one saw coming

Through the decades, Super Bowl logos have traditionally been long on football, short on local bravado. That was until today.

In pregame ceremonies at NRG Stadium, the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee unveiled its 2017 logo featuring "Houston" in big, bold letters with "Super Bowl LI" playing second fiddle at the base of the design.

It's a design that any chamber of commerce would love. No surprise then that the font used on the logo is the same that the Greater Houston Partnership uses in its "Houston: City with No Limits" campaign.

"Super Bowl 51 begins the next era of Super Bowls and Houston is focused on the future. We are ready to shine a bright light on our city."

The presentation was made on the stadium's giant video board before the kickoff of the Houston Texans vs. the Philadelphia Eagles game with former Secretary of State James A. Baker III, Host Committee chairman Ric Campo, Halliburton chairman and CEO Dave Lesar, Texans owner Bob McNair and Super Bowl committee executive director Sallie Sargent on the field.

"The Super Bowl is a tremendous opportunity to showcase all that our great city has to offer," Campo said in a statement. "Super Bowl 51 begins the next era of Super Bowls and Houston is focused on the future. We are ready to shine a bright light on our city, highlighting Houston an as extraordinary place to live, work and play.”

The logo in red and platinum and featuring a football intertwined with a star was developed by RARE Design, the same firm that created the Houston Texans brand. The NFL will introduce its own logo for the game closer to 2017 and the league's Super Bowl design almost always incorporates the Lombardi Trophy.

The Houston Super Bowl committee also announced its tagline: "We Live for Football."

Super Bowl LI will take place in February of 2017 with the Host Committee serving as liaison between the NFL, the city and county. While the committee handles planning and execution of Super Bowl logistical considerations, the organization also has its hand in surrounding entertainment in particular Super Bowl Central, a 10-day festival anchored at Discovery Green.

The Host Committee has also committed to investing $4 million in the Houston community as part of the NFL's charitable giving initiative. Funds will be dispersed between a variety of civic interests including health, education and beautification.

Logo courtesy of Houston Super Bowl Host Committee

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Revived Houston Comets franchise will broadcast games on TV for free

Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

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Houston sports fans are eagerly awaiting the return of the Comets, the city’s WNBA franchise. When they’re not able to attend games at Toyota Center, Houstonians will be able to watch all of the team’s games for free.

The Comets announced a multi-year partnership with local TV stations KHOU and KTBU to be the team’s home for local broadcasts. All of the Comets’ games will air for free on KTBU (Channel 55) with select games also airing on KHOU (Channel 11). Fans only need an antenna to pick up the signal and watch the games on their TVs.

Games will also be simulcast on Space City Home Network, the team's regional sports network that it shares with the Houston Rockets and the Houston Astros, and on SCHN+, the direct-to-consumer streaming service.

“KHOU has covered Houston sports for decades, and the Comets’ homecoming is a story we’ve been waiting to tell,” said David Loving, president and general manager, KHOU, in a statement. “As a founding partner, we’re ready to bring Comets action to fans across the region.”

Both stations are owned by TEGNA, a media company that operates 64 stations in 51 markets.

Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta paid a reported $300 million to acquire the Connecticut Sun and relocate them to Houston as the Comets. One of the WNBA’s original franchises, the Comets won the league’s first four championships from 1997-2000. The team disbanded in 2008.

The WNBA season typically begins in early May. Earlier this year, the league announced it would move to a 50-game regular season. This year will also mark the debut of two new teams, the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, that will bring the league to 15 total.

Other details about the Comets’ return to Houston, including updated uniforms and logos, have yet to be announced.

“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,” said Gretchen Sheirr, president of business operations for the Houston Rockets and Comets. “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.”

For more information about the Comets, including season ticket information, visit houstoncomets.com.

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