Hilton Koch

Hilton Koch is a furniture dealer and store owner in Houston Texas at Hilton Furniture. Since 2007 he is the owner of the Houston Comets of the WNBA.

His catch phrase is "ohhhhh, that's a fact jack".

He often stars in commercials for his store upbeat and usually wielding a chainsaw to demonstrate how he "cuts prices in half"

In more recent years, the television adds for Hilton Furniture have toned down to make HIlton appear as a family man as he appears in the adds with his three children Hilton Jr., Paris and Houston.

It seems he may have run out of money, as the WNBA has taken over duties of running the Comets as of August 2008.

Local businessman Hilton Koch bought the team from Rockets Owner Les Alexander in January 2007, but the team is currently being operated by the WNBA.Hilton Koch “has not been able to devote the resources needed to maintain the Comets’ tradition of success.” However others argue that Koch "made a valiant attempt to keep the team in the city by purchasing the team from Houston Rockets owner Les Alexander" but was losing over 4 million dollars a year since buying the Comets. "Koch address (sic) the season-ticket holders in an open letter that was posted on the Comets website on August 8th [http://www.wnba.com/comets/letter_080808.html Open Letter to Comets Fans] .

Dear Comets fans and supporters,

As you may have heard, the WNBA, Mayor Bill White and I are working diligently to find a new owner or ownership group for the Houston Comets. I wanted to take this moment to express my sincere gratitude at having had the opportunity to be an integral part of this storied franchise and thank you for the continued support that has made the Comets such an integral part of the wonderful Houston community.

As a longtime Comets fan and season-ticket holder, I understand and appreciate the significance of this team to the city of Houston and the WNBA. Since the league’s 1997 tip-off, the Comets have been core to the exponential growth of women’s basketball. By winning the WNBA’s first four titles, the team established itself as one of professional sports’ great modern dynasties and became a point of civic pride for Houston.

The fact that the energy, passion and commitment of Houston’s tremendous fan base no doubt ignited much of this success is something I was keenly aware of prior to purchasing the club. My tenure as owner has only served to enhance my longstanding admiration for the extraordinary atmosphere that takes over the stands at Comets games.

As we work to find an owner that will uphold the Comets’ tradition and guide this organization to great heights once again, please be assured that absolutely nothing about the experience of attending Comets games will change. The team is in the midst of a winning season and will be back home after the Olympic break to deliver more thrilling basketball action. Your support to date has led to an 11-2 home record, the second best such mark in the WNBA. The players will be counting on your energy and passion to help them secure a playoff berth.

Thank you for all the support that you have given the Comets before and during my tenure. My experience owning this team has been a great thrill, and I will continue to sit alongside you in the stands and cheer on our team.

Sincerely,

Hilton Koch

"Despite his losses, Koch is still trying to help with finding another buyer for the team." [http://www.blackathlete.com/artman2/publish/Women_s_Basketball_37/Let_The_Truth_Be_Told_In_Houston.shtml Let The Truth Be Told In Houston-WNBA's Comets Are For Sale]