List of former professional sports teams in Houston facts for kids

Houston, Texas, is a city that truly loves sports! Over the years, many different sports teams have called Houston home. While some teams, like the Houston Astros or Houston Rockets, are still playing today, many others were around for a while and then moved or stopped playing. This article tells you about some of the teams that used to play in Houston.

Exploring Houston's Past Sports Teams

American Football: Teams of the Past

Houston has seen many American football teams come and go. Here are some of the teams that played in the city's past:

• Oilers, 1960–97 (AFL/NFL) – This team later moved to Memphis and then to Nashville, Tennessee, becoming the Tennessee Titans.
• Texans, 1974–75 (WFL) – This team later moved to Shreveport, Louisiana.
• Herricanes, 1976–79 (NWFL)
• Gamblers, 1984–85 (USFL)
• Terror/Thunderbears, 1996–2001 (AFL)
• Outlaws, 1999 (RFL)
• Marshals, 2000 (SFL)
• Copperheads, 2006–2008 (NIFL/AF2)
• Wild Riders, 2007 (NIFL)
• Ruff Riders, 2007–08 (Intense Football League) – This team later moved to Abilene.
• Texas Cyclones, 2008–10 (NWFA/WFA/IWFL)
• Lightning 2009–2010 (SIFL)
• Stallions, 2010–2012 (SIFL/LSFL)
• Lady Oilers, 2011–2013 (WAFL)
• Wildcats, 2016–2017 (USWFL)
• Roughnecks, 2018–2024 (XFL)
• Jets, 2021–2022 (AFA)

Baseball: Houston's Former Teams

Before the Houston Astros, several baseball teams played in Houston. Here are some of them:

• Buffaloes (Buffs), 1888–1961 (Texas League, American Association) – This team was bought by the Houston Astros and moved to Oklahoma City. It still exists as the Oklahoma City RedHawks.
• Eagles, 1949-c.1950s (Negro league baseball team) – These were parts of the famous Newark Eagles team.
• Apollos, 2002–2021 (Big States League/Pecos League/AAIPB)
• Toros, 2007–2009 (CBL)
• Strykers, 2012—2016 (TCL)

Basketball: Old Teams on the Court

Houston has also been home to many basketball teams, both men's and women's. Here are some that are no longer playing:

• Ada Oilers, 1952–57 (Amateur Athletic Association/NIBL)
• Mavericks, 1967–69 (ABA)
• Angels, 1978–1980 (Women's Professional Basketball League)
• Shamrocks, 1984 (WABA)
• Comets, 1997–2008 (WNBA) – This team won many championships!
• Flames, 2000 (WSBL)
• Stealth, 2002–2004 (NWBA)
• Undertakers/Takers/Red Storm, 2006–2012 (ABA)
• Asteroids, 2010 (GPBL 2)
• Legends, 2012-2015 (ABA)
• Assault, 2013–2015 (ABA)
• Inferno, 2013–2015 (BBA)
• Bandits, 2015 (ABA)
• Wolverines, 2017 (NABL)
• Galaxy, 2017–20 (WMLBA)
• Toros, 2018 (NABL)
• Ballers, 2018–19 (JBA)
• Push, 2021 (TBL)
• Imperials, 2022 (TBL)
• Warriors, 2023 (TBL)

Ice Hockey: Frozen Memories in Houston

Even though Houston is a warm city, it has had several ice hockey teams. Here are some that used to play here:

• Skippers, 1946–47 (USHL)
• Huskies, 1947–48 (USHL)
• Apollos, 1965–69; 1979–81 (CHL)
• Aeros, 1972–78 (WHA)
• Aeros, 1994–2013 (IHL/AHL) – This team later moved to Des Moines, Iowa and became the Iowa Wild.
• Blast, 2001–02 (Gulf Coast Hockey League)
• Imperials, 2013–2016 (NA3HL)

Soccer: Kicking Off Houston's History

Soccer has a long history in Houston, with many teams playing over the years. Here are some of the past soccer teams:

• Stars, 1967–68 (USA/NASL)
• Hurricane, 1978–80 (NASL)
• Summit, 1978–80 (MISL)
• Dynamos, 1983–91 (USL/LSSA)
• Express, 1988–90 (SISL)
• Alianza, 1988–91 (LSSA)
• Hotshots, 1994–97 (CISL)
• Force, 1995 (USL-2)
• Hurricanes, 1996–2000 (USL-2)
• Hotshots, 1999–2000 (WISL)
• Tornados, 1999–2001 (W-League)
• Toros, 2002–2003 (PDL)
• Stars, 2003-2005 (WPSL)
• Tornadoes, 2003 (WPSL)
• Leones, 2007–2010 (PDL)
• South Select, 2007–2016 (WPSL)
• Dutch Lions, 2011–2019 (NPSL)
• Hurricanes FC, 2012–2013 (NPSL)
• Regals SCA, 2013; 2015–2018 (NPSL)

Team Tennis: Serving Up the Past

Tennis has also had its share of team competitions in Houston. Here are some of the teams that played:

• E-Z Riders, 1974 (World Team Tennis)
• Astro-Knots, 1982–1983 (TeamTennis)
• Wranglers, 2005–2007 (World TeamTennis)

Cricket: A Look Back at the Wickets

Cricket, a popular sport around the world, also had a team in Houston for a short time:

• Arrow Heads, 2004 (Pro Cricket)

Softball: Fastpitch Teams of Yesteryear

Fastpitch softball has also been played professionally in Houston. Here are some of the teams:

• Thunder, 2004–2006 (National Pro Fastpitch)
• Scrap Yard Dawgs, 2016–2017 (National Pro Fastpitch)

Esports: Gaming Teams That Were Here

Even in the world of video games, Houston has had professional teams. Here is one that played in the past:

• Outlaws, 2017–2023 (Overwatch League)