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Fertitta's bid is expected to include Houston Comets' branding, a source told Chron, a delightful detail for many in the Bayou City. The Comets dominated the early years of the WNBA, as Houston captured the league's first four titles from 1997-01. Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, Tina Thompson and Co. led the WNBA with more than 11,000 fans per game at the Compaq Center in those seasons, though subsequent years brought significant dips in attendance. Former Rockets owner Leslie Alexander sold the Comets to furniture salesman Hilton Koch in 2007, who looked to sell the team a year later.
Eric Gordon: Clutch city. Thank you for embracing me. Thank you for helping me grow as a basketball player and as a man. Thank you for becoming my home and my family! Since day one, I have been blown away by the organization, the fans and this city. No words can fully express my gratitude towards Leslie Alexander, the Fertitta Family, my teammates, and all of Red Nation. It’s been an amazing seven seasons. As I get ready for my next journey, I’ll always be thankful for my time in the H. All love Houston 🤘🏾❤️
Sources say former Rockets owner Les Alexander, who had led the decision to hire D’Antoni back in June of 2016, was working on granting a patient D’Antoni his wishes. But two weeks later, the team had been sold for a record $2.2 billion to Tilman Fertitta. Fertitta, the billionaire businessman from nearby Galveston, who has always taken pride in being ruthless in his dealings, pushed back on the notion of picking up the option that early after D’Antoni asked again to have his extension picked up, sources say. D’Antoni had no idea that Alexander was selling the team, and it blindsided nearly everyone within the organization. This issue about D’Antoni’s option would not go away anytime soon.
Former Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander has put his La Jolla beach home back on the market at $17.75 million. The imposing three-story contemporary, built in 2002, overlooks 50 feet of ocean frontage. Walls of glass move away to bring ocean breezes into the 9,320 square feet of interiors.
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Harrison Wind: Standing ovation for former Rockets owner Leslie Alexander who’s courtside here in Houston. He sold the team in September.
Jonathan Feigen: Former Rockets owner Leslie Alexander back in his old courtside seat. Alexander received a lifetime achievement award at the Houston Sports Awards last night.
Alexander, who earlier this year sold the Rockets for $2.2 billion to Houston businessman Tilman Fertitta, confirmed this week that he remains in possession at his home in Florida of the two Larry O'Brien Trophies he accepted for the team's back-to-back NBA titles in 1993-94 and 1994-95. "They're here in a corner at my house," he said during a brief phone conversation. "I haven't decided how to set them up yet."
Mark Berman: Former #Rockets owner Leslie Alexander acknowledges he misses owning the franchise: "Of course I do. It's part of a life. You miss good things like that, sure." Said he was very emotional when he officially sold the franchise.
Mark Berman: Former #Rockets owner Leslie Alexander on the team having one of the best records in the NBA: "It's great to know that you designed something that's been so successful. You always want to leave on a good note."
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Daryl Morey: Excited 2start new era @Houston Rockets basketball w/@TilmanJFertitta Thank U Mr.Alexander-none of this possible w/oU
Prospective Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta is scheduled to meet with the executive committee of the NBA Board of Governors next week, a person with knowledge of the process said on Friday of the next step toward gaining approval for the transfer of the Rockets ownership from Leslie Alexander.
It was recently reported that Leslie Alexander sold the Houston Rockets to Tilman Fertitta for $2.2 billion. Putting aside the I-45 rivalry, do you think he made a good investment? What advice would you give a brand new NBA owner? Mark Cuban: [Fertitta] got a bargain. The streaming world is going to make destination live content even more valuable. It's much harder to draw an audience over the top with unlimited choices verus TV where we are one of 200 channels. And my advice is to trust yourself. Be yourself and have fun.
He believes Leslie Alexander, who owned the franchise for 24 years, made a great choice in selling to Ferttita. "I've known Tilman for a long time," Mutombo said. I"'m happy he got the team. He's a great businessman. I think he's going to follow the spirit of Uncle Les and his vision. I look forward to going to the games and cheering for my Rockets."
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