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Katy council approves $150,000 hot-tax grant for December women’s college basketball game
Summary
The council approved a $150,000 hotel-occupancy-tax grant to support a Dec. 4–6 women’s college basketball matchup at the Leonard E. Merrill Center; staff noted funds are reimbursed against advertising receipts and outlined itemized invoicing requirements.
The City of Katy approved on June 22 a $150,000 CTV (hotel-occupancy-tax) grant application to bring a women’s college basketball matchup — proposed as TCU vs. Texas — to the Leonard E. Merrill Center in December 2026.
Tom Burnett of Southwest Sports Partners LLC summarized the proposal and materials presented to the Convention and Tourism Board (CTB), explaining Wildhorse Sports Management is seeking $150,000 to cover tourism-related advertising and promotion tied to the Lone Star Series women’s basketball tournament. Burnett said the event would include team arrivals, community receptions, a leadership dinner, a youth clinic and a game-day tipoff on Sunday, Dec. 6.
Council members questioned ticketing, room blocks and branding. Burnett estimated approximately 5,600 seats in the Merrill Center, suggested at least 1,500 tickets per team as a baseline for sales, and said teams would take roughly 50–60 rooms each. City staff (Bridget) clarified that HOT-grant funds are paid on a reimbursement basis: applicants must submit invoices, receipts and reporting tied to advertising that puts "heads in beds" in Katy before funds are released. "This isn't going to be a $150,000 check, and if this game doesn't play, we lose our money," staff said, explaining money is not advanced without supporting documentation.
Council discussed risks: contracts with teams reportedly exist but public schedules had not yet been announced; staff noted the CTB had approved the request pending council action. Members also pressed for clearer breakdowns of the $150,000 line items and for assurances about city branding and national-broadcast promotion; Burnett said those details would be worked out with event organizers and staff and that broadcast promotion is part of allowable expenditures under HOT rules.
After discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Gina Hicks moved to approve the grant; Council Member Paul Fallas seconded. The motion carried by voice vote.
Council members noted the request represented a significant ask for a first-year event but described the opportunity to showcase Katy hotels and local businesses; staff emphasized the reimbursement and reporting controls that govern the HOT fund disbursement.
