Rockets owner up for Trump appointment; eyeing NFL's Saints

Field Level Media|published: Wed 11th December, 14:22 2024

Jan 20, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta walks on the court during the game against the Utah Jazz at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta reportedly is in line to become the next U.S. ambassador to Italy.

President-elect Donald Trump is expected to appoint the 67-year-old billionaire businessman to the post, according to a CBS News report on Tuesday.

If he is nominated by Trump and confirmed by the Senate, Fertitta could follow similar appointments made during Trump's first administration with New York Jets owner Woody Johnson (United Kingdom) and late Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney (Ireland).

Fertitta, who also owns the Landry's restaurant chain as well as car dealerships, hotels and casinos, has made $2 million in political donations to Trump and other Republican candidates since January 2023, according to filings reviewed by Front Office Sports.

In another report published Tuesday, Fertitta expressed his interest in purchasing the NFL's New Orleans Saints.

The Saints, owned by Gayle Benson, are not currently on the market.

"I've always loved the New Orleans Saints, but (Benson) won't sell them right now," Fertitta told the Houston Business Journal.

--Field Level Media

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