Quick Facts: Houston Rockets
| Current Owner | Tilman Fertitta |
| Ownership Type | Private |
| Owner Since | 2017 |
| Purchase Price | $2.2 billion (NBA record at the time) |
| Owner’s Other Ventures | Landry’s, Golden Nugget, Caesars Entertainment |
| Public Role | U.S. Ambassador to Italy & San Marino (since May 2025) |
| Arena | Toyota Center, Houston |
Who Owns the Houston Rockets?
Tilman Fertitta has owned the Houston Rockets since 2017, when he paid $2.2 billion for the franchise — an NBA record purchase price at the time.
Fertitta built his fortune through Landry’s, the restaurant and hospitality conglomerate he founded, later expanding into casinos with the Golden Nugget brand. In 2026, he added Caesars Entertainment to that portfolio in a deal worth nearly $6 billion.
He bought the Rockets from Leslie Alexander, who had owned the team since 1993 and led it through its back-to-back championships in the mid-1990s before selling as a much older man ready to step back from day-to-day sports ownership.
Beyond basketball, Fertitta has continued expanding his Houston sports footprint — his company entered an agreement to bring a WNBA franchise to the city under the revived Houston Comets name, and he’s been in the mix on Houston’s push for an NHL expansion team as well.
Houston Rockets Ownership History
| Year | Event | Owner / Key Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Leslie Alexander buys the team | Leslie Alexander | Paid roughly $85 million |
| 1994–1995 | Back-to-back championships | Leslie Alexander | Hakeem Olajuwon-led dynasty |
| 2017–Present | Sold for $2.2 billion | Tilman Fertitta | NBA record sale price at the time |
| 2026 | Fertitta buys Caesars Entertainment | Tilman Fertitta | Nearly $6 billion deal, separate from Rockets ownership |
About Tilman Fertitta
Fertitta grew up in Galveston, Texas, and built Landry’s from a single seafood restaurant into a hospitality empire spanning dining, hotels, and casinos, including Golden Nugget and, as of 2026, Caesars Entertainment.
He’s also known for hosting CNBC’s “Billion Dollar Buyer” and has increasingly stepped into public life, serving as U.S. Ambassador to Italy and San Marino since May 2025 while continuing to run his business and sports holdings.
Key Ownership Highlights
- Fertitta’s purchase set an NBA record in 2017: $2.2 billion was the highest price ever paid for an NBA franchise at the time of the sale.
- He’s actively growing a Houston sports portfolio beyond the Rockets: a pending WNBA franchise (reviving the Houston Comets name) and involvement in the city’s NHL expansion push.
- His business empire keeps expanding independent of the team: the 2026 Caesars Entertainment acquisition (nearly $6 billion) is separate from, but reflects the same appetite that built, his Rockets ownership.
- He holds a notable public diplomatic role alongside his business life: serving as U.S. Ambassador to Italy and San Marino since May 2025.
- The mid-1990s championships happened under the previous owner: Leslie Alexander, not Fertitta, presided over Houston’s two NBA titles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the Houston Rockets?
Tilman Fertitta, who bought the team in 2017 for a then-record $2.2 billion.
Who owned the Rockets before Fertitta?
Leslie Alexander, who bought the team in 1993 and led it through back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995.
What other businesses does Tilman Fertitta own?
Landry’s, Golden Nugget, and, as of 2026, Caesars Entertainment, alongside a growing sports portfolio in Houston.
Does Fertitta hold any public office?
Yes, he has served as U.S. Ambassador to Italy and San Marino since May 2025.
Has Fertitta bought other sports franchises?
His company has agreed to acquire a WNBA franchise to relocate to Houston under the Comets name, and he’s been involved in Houston’s NHL expansion bid.
