List of former professional sports teams in Houston explained

See main article: article and Sports in Houston.

• American football
  • Oilers, 1960–97 (AFL/NFL) – Now the Tennessee Titans, the team relocated to Memphis and later to Nashville, Tennessee.
  • Texans, 1974–75 (WFL) – The team relocated 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) – The team relocated 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
  • Buffaloes (Buffs), 1888–1961 (Texas League, American Association), reorganized and relocated to Oklahoma City after their buyout by the Houston Astros. The team still exists as the Oklahoma City RedHawks.
  • Eagles, 1949-c.1950s (Negro league baseball team, remnants of legendary Newark Eagles)^[1]
  • Apollos, 2002–2021 (Big States League/Pecos League/AAIPB)
  • Toros, 2007–2009 (CBL)
  • Strykers, 2012—2016 (TCL)
• Basketball
  • 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)
  • 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)
• Hockey
  • Skippers, 1946–47 (USHL)
  • Huskies, 1947–48 (USHL)
  • Apollos, 1965–69; 1979–81 (CHL)
  • Aeros, 1972–78 (WHA)
  • Aeros, 1994–2013 (IHL/AHL) – Now the Iowa Wild, the team relocated to Des Moines, Iowa.
  • Blast, 2001–02 (Gulf Coast Hockey League)
  • Imperials, 2013–2016 (NA3HL)
• Soccer
  • 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
  • E-Z Riders, 1974 (World Team Tennis)
  • Astro-Knots, 1982–1983 (TeamTennis)
  • Wranglers, 2005–2007 (World TeamTennis)
• Cricket
  • Arrow Heads, 2004 (Pro Cricket)
• Softball
  • Thunder, 2004–2006 (National Pro Fastpitch)
  • Scrap Yard Dawgs, 2016–2017 (National Pro Fastpitch)
• Esports
  • Outlaws, 2017–2023 (Overwatch League)

External links

• Remember the Houston Mavericks
• Houston Gamblers Memorabilia Page
• The History of Soccer in Houston

Notes and References

1. Web site: Newark Eagles. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. December 25, 2020.