A legal battle is brewing in the world of professional basketball, and it involves none other than Travis Scott. The WNBA is currently locked in a dispute with TSTM Holdings, a company reportedly affiliated with the Houston-born rapper, over the trademark for the beloved Houston Comets name.
The Fight for the Comets Name
The Connecticut Suns, recently purchased and planning a move to Houston for the 2027 season, aim to revive the iconic Comets name. The Houston Comets were a foundational team in the WNBA, established in 1996, and famously won the league’s first four championships. However, the trademark for the Comets name, which expired in 2021 and was not renewed by the WNBA, was granted to TSTM Holdings in 2024.
Documents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) indicate that TSTM Holdings is a Delaware-based company represented by Los Angeles attorney Kia Kamran, who also represents Travis Scott and his company, LaFlame Enterprises, Inc. This connection has brought the rapper into the center of the trademark controversy.
WNBA’s Opposition and TSTM’s Response
Following the trademark grant to TSTM Holdings, WNBA Enterprises (WNBAE) filed an opposition in May 2025, which is still pending. In response, TSTM Holdings has filed a motion to dismiss WNBAE’s opposition. WNBAE countered last week, arguing that TSTM Holdings has provided no evidence to support a legitimate claim to the name or the goodwill associated with the team over nearly thirty years.
WNBAE suggests that TSTM’s pursuit of a mark identical to the Comets name, coupled with a lack of evidence of use or plans for the mark, raises a “plausible inference that TSTM lacks bona fide intent.” TSTM Holdings has outlined plans for entertainment services and the sale of apparel and household items under the trademark.
What’s Next for the Comets?
The sale of the Connecticut Suns franchise to new owners intending to rename the team the Comets is still pending approval from the WNBA Board of Governors. This trademark battle could significantly impact those plans. Meanwhile, Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack Foundation has previously partnered with Space Center Houston for a STEM program, showing his engagement with the city.
What do you think about this trademark dispute? Should the WNBA regain control of the Houston Comets name? Let us know in the comments!