HOUSTON — The WNBA president

says the franchise that won the league's first four championships is disbanding.

Donna Orender told Houston television station KRIV on Monday that the league-owned Houston Comets would be shut down because new owners couldn't be found.

Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander, the original owner of the Comets, sold the team to Houston businessman Hilton Koch last year. The WNBA took over the franchise earlier this year and began a search for a new owner.

Orender did not rule out a WNBA team returning to Houston. Orender said a dispersal draft for Houston players would be held next week.

The Comets won the first four WNBA titles from 1997-2000.