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Post by mikecubs on Jul 17, 2017 14:36:10 GMT -6
Rockets for sale after being owned by Alexander for 24 yearsOwner Leslie Alexander is putting the Houston Rockets up for sale after 24 years of ownership. Alexander bought the team in 1993 for $85 million. Forbes values the franchise at $1.65 billion -- good for eighth in the league -- with revenues of $244 million. "It's been my great joy and honor to own the Houston Rockets for the past 24 years," Alexander said in a statement. "I've had the incredible opportunity to witness true greatness through the players and coaches who have won championships for the city, been named to All-Star and All-NBA teams, enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame, and done so much for our franchise and our fans. "And the Houston community has been home to me; I will continue to support the charities I have made commitments to throughout the years. I'll always have a special place in my heart for the fans, partners, city officials and employees who care so deeply for this team. "I've made this decision after much deliberation with my family and friends, and do so knowing the franchise is in great shape with the players, coaches and management team in place. CEO Tad Brown will oversee the sales process with the league office, supported by my management team." The Rockets won the NBA title in the first two seasons after Alexander bought the team. Brown said Alexander had been approached over the years by potential buyers but never considered it until very recently. In fact, a sports investment banker told ESPN's Darren Rovell that he was "shocked" by the announcement because Alexander had never publicly expressed interest in selling. Brown said he will work with the league office to facilitate things while the team looks for a new owner. There is no set timetable for the sale, but Brown said they want to find the right buyer and won't rush the process.
Interest in the Rockets might not be limited to the United States. Houston is the No. 1 team in Asia because of the popularity of former All-Star Yao Ming of China. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/20088889/leslie-alexander-putting-houston-rockets-sale
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Post by mikecubs on Jul 17, 2017 14:55:52 GMT -6
If the NHL is too dumb go to Quebec Houston should far and away be the choice for the next team be it expansion or relocation over Seattle. A comparison Houston is the 10th biggest city in either the US or Canada with 6,972,374. It's growing 28.06 percent every 10 years(4th in either the US or Canada). It has 51 fortune 1000 companies (4th). It has hockey history with the Aeros. Houston has a modern arena built in 2003 that is downtown that was 100% publicly funded. Seattle is the 14th biggest city in either the US and Canada with 4,684,516(some of this is far flug and Phoenix is growing faster and about to catch it). It's growing at a 19.17 rate every 10 years(16th). Seattle has 15 fortune 1000 companies(tied for 26th with Columbus). Seattle's plan is to do a patch job on 1962 Key Arena. It was found that a renovated Key Arena won't come close to producing the revenue of a new SODO arena. Key Arena is in a city park with no public transportation and there won't be any until at least 2035. Traffic in the area is god awful(google Mercer mess) A Key Arena renovation will be 100% private to top it off(YIKES! ) A Seattle Key Arena NHL team will be a 100% disaster worst than even Glendale. Stay away from the Key/Seattle if they can't do it right!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2017 15:47:16 GMT -6
I've always maintained that Houston would be the best market in the USA to put an NHL team in. It's the 5th largest metro area in the US (6,750,000), and has supported hockey in the past. Not only that, but Houston would be a perfect fit for the Central Division, and would balance all the divisions out. The rivalry with Dallas would be huge. If there is interest from a new owner, I pray the NHL does not screw this up.
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Post by mikecubs on Jul 17, 2017 16:22:49 GMT -6
I've always maintained that Houston would be the best market in the USA to put an NHL team in. It's the 5th largest metro area in the US (6,750,000), and has supported hockey in the past. Not only that, but Houston would be a perfect fit for the Central Division, and would balance all the divisions out. The rivalry with Dallas would be huge. If there is interest from a new owner, I pray the NHL does not screw this up. I just pray some guy from China doesn't buy the Rockets and not know what hockey is.
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Post by calgaryflames on Jul 17, 2017 22:19:30 GMT -6
If a sale is successful, I believe this paves the way for another NHL market out West (Houston).
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Post by mikecubs on Jul 17, 2017 22:48:56 GMT -6
I sure hope so. But given that this is the NHL the following could very well happen
1. That idiot Bettman picks Key Arena(this would be a total classic Bettman move)
2. New Coyotes president Steve Patterson(who has a TON of local political connections) is able to con a 3rd arena out of local politicians.
Then the league is at 32 and Bettman announces we can't go to Houston or Quebec because our "symmetry" will be ruined
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Post by mikecubs on Jul 17, 2017 23:52:41 GMT -6
Tilman Fertitta interested in buying the RocketsHouston billionaire Tilman Fertitta said Monday he has an interest in purchasing the Rockets. "I definitely have an interest," Fertitta, the Landry's restaurants founder and CEO and gambling mogul, said. "Just hope it doesn't go for crazy numbers. I've never really wanted to own a professional team outside of Houston. Houston is my hometown and the place I would prefer to own a professional team." The Rockets announced Monday that team owner Les Alexander will put the franchise up for sale. Fertitta has previous ties to the Rockets, serving as an advisory director during the franchise's championship seasons in 1994-95. "I've known Les (Alexander) since he purchased the team 24 years ago," said Fertitta, whose net worth is listed as $3.1 billion by Forbes. "Les has been a great owner for 24 years. He's won the only two major championships in the history of Houston and has kept the team competitive for 24 years. It will be big shoes to follow for whoever buys the team. (But) I definitely have an interest." Fertitta also was one of the original investors for the Texans, serving as partner until 2008 when he had to sell his share in the franchise to comply with NFL prohibiting team owners from having an interest in gambling-related business. Fertitta owns Golden Nugget casino locations in Las Vegas, Louisiana and Mississippi. The NBA does not have such a rule that would prevent Fertitta from pursing the Rockets. In addition, Fertitta hosts the CNBC show 'Billion Dollar Buyer' and also serves as chairman of the University of Houston Board of Regents. www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/Tilman-Fertitta-interested-in-buying-the-Rockets-11294716.php
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Post by mikecubs on Jul 17, 2017 23:58:01 GMT -6
The guys on HF boards think this is the guy that would bring the NHL.
FYI, I said above new Coyotes president has local political connections in Arizona. Well he has Houston connections too. He was the general manager that build the mid 90's Houston Rockets 2 championship teams(93-94/94-95) acquiring every play on the rosters.
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Post by DowntownBooster on Jul 19, 2017 11:15:38 GMT -6
If a sale is successful, I believe this paves the way for another NHL market out West (Houston). Bring back the Aeros!
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Post by mikecubs on Sept 5, 2017 9:01:18 GMT -6
Houston businessman Tilman Fertitta agrees to buy Rockets for record $2.2 billionThe Houston Rockets have been sold to local billionaire Tilman Fertitta, who called the purchase of his hometown team "a life-long dream come true." Terms of the sale, which was announced Tuesday, were not disclosed. A league source told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, however, that Fertitta agreed to purchase the team from Leslie Alexander for $2.2 billion, a record sale price for an NBA franchise.
The sale is pending approval by the NBA's Board of Governors. Fertitta is a native of Galveston, Texas, and has had courtside seats at Rockets games for the last several years. "I am truly honored to have been chosen as the next owner of the Houston Rockets," Fertitta said in a statement released by the team. "This is a life-long dream come true." The Rockets acknowledged the "unfortunate" timing of the sale as Houston recovers from historic damage caused by Hurricane Harvey, saying it "is truly unfortunate that this announcement is occurring amidst the aftermath of one of the biggest tragedies in the history of our great City." Alexander, who outbid Fertitta to buy the Rockets in 1993, and Fertitta agreed in principle to the sale of the team Monday, league sources told Wojnarowski. The Rockets were valued at $1.65 billion -- eighth-most in the NBA -- by Forbes Magazine earlier this year but received multiple offers that started at $2 billion, league sources told Wojnarowski.Fertitta owns Landry's Inc., one of the nation's biggest restaurant corporations, and Golden Nuggets Casinos and Hotels. The Rockets said in a statement that Fertitta has no other partners in connection with the transaction, which also includes operation of the Toyota Center in Houston. If the sale of the franchise is approved, the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas will not be able to offer betting on Rockets games. Feritta told KRIV-Fox 26 earlier this year that he was interested in buying the Rockets after Alexander announced that the franchise was for sale. Fertitta also told the KRIV-Fox 26 that he planned to keep the Rockets in Houston. An original investor in the NFL's Houston Texans, Fertitta offered $81 million to buy the Rockets in 1993, but the team was sold to Alexander for $85 million. "I am excited to welcome and pass the torch to Tilman," Alexander said in a statement. "He is a Houstonian, business leader and committed to the success and excellence of the Rockets both on and off the basketball court. I have personally known Tilman for over 24 years and don't think I could have found anyone more capable of continuing the winning tradition of our Houston Rockets." The Rockets won the NBA title in the first two seasons after Alexander bought the team. In 24 seasons under Alexander's ownership, the Rockets have won 56.9 percent of their games, fifth-best in the league. "Leslie Alexander has been one of the best owners in all of sports, and I thank him immensely for this opportunity," Fertitta said. "He has the heart of a champion. Lastly, out of respect for the NBA's approval process, I can say no more other than I am overwhelmed with emotion to have this opportunity in my beloved city of Houston." www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/20588603/tilman-fertitta-agrees-purchase-houston-rockets-record-price-22-billion
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Post by mikecubs on Sept 5, 2017 9:04:05 GMT -6
Bring back the Nordiques first, let Houston recover from Hurricane Harvey. Then bring back the Aeros! (P)uck Seattle and their screwball Key Arena renovation.
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Post by mikecubs on Sept 5, 2017 9:09:53 GMT -6
FYI, want an idea on how exceptionally dumb Seattle fans are? They thought the Rockets would be sold to a Seattle buyer and the NBA would allow the Rockets leave for Seattle despite
1. Houston being a much better market than Seattle NBA wise(or any sport wise)
2. The Rockets being one the elite $$$$ making teams in any pro sport and a long lease in a 100% public funded arena
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2017 9:06:39 GMT -6
So what does this mean for a future NHL team in Houston?
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Post by mikecubs on Sept 6, 2017 10:04:36 GMT -6
So what does this mean for a future NHL team in Houston? Not 100% sure yet. Various Houston message boards think this is a guy who will go for the NHL and are happy but he hasn't said anything yet or been asked about NHL. Forbes reports he's worth 3.1B so if he does go for the NHL he's going to have to bring in partners for the Rockets to split some of the costs because you figure NHL is another $500M. Former Rockets player/Hall of Famer Yao Ming was rumored to be a part of another group after the Rockets. Maybe they bring him in if he wants partners for NBA so he can go after NHL. There is also the possibility that he goes for minor league hockey instead. Overall this guy is a big sports fan. He's given a lot of $$$ to the university of Houston basketball team and is a big college football fan. No word though on how much of a hockey fan he is.
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Post by phillymike on Oct 10, 2017 17:05:22 GMT -6
Sounds like he’s a hockey fan.
From the Houston Business Journal:
Billionaire Tilman Fertitta, the new owner of the Houston Rockets, didn’t rule out a National Hockey League franchise for Houston during his first press conference Oct. 10 at the Toyota Center after acquiring the team for $2.2 billion.
It would be the second NHL franchise in Texas behind the Dallas Stars.
Do I want to see Toyota Center filled up 300 nights a year? “Definitely.” Fertitta said. "I would put an NHL team here tomorrow (but it has to make sense)."
NHL executive Larry Tanenbaum is “very excited” to meet with Fertitta, Rockets CEO Tad Brown said at the press conference. Houston and the NHL have discussed deals in the past to bring a team to the Bayou City but nothing has worked out, Brown said.
“Everything’s open,” Brown said. “Tilman is aggressive.”
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