HOUSTON — Houston Rockets owner, Landry's CEO....and next, ambassador to Italy?
Tilman Fertitta was expected to be incoming President Donald Trump's pick for the ambassadorship, according to a report from CBS News White House senior reporter Jennifer Jacobs Tuesday night. Jacobs cited sources in her report.
KHOU 11 reached out to Fertitta's office, but his team said they couldn't comment. Trump's transition officials declined to comment to CBS News.
If you've been around Houston, you likely know who Tilman Fertitta is. He is the owner of the NBA's Houston Rockets and CEO of Landry's, Inc., the restaurant group that owns brands like Morton's The Steakhouse, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., and the Kemah Boardwalk.
Fertitta, 67, was born in Galveston and attended Texas Tech and the University of Houston.
He was on reality TV's "Billion Dollar Buyer" on CNBC.
Fertitta was a Houston Texans investor until NFL rules forbade staff members from being associated with gambling. Fertitta sold his shares in the Texans to maintain his investment in the Golden Nugget casino chain.
He bought the Rockets for $2.2 billion in 2017 after reportedly outbidding Beyoncé.
Fertitta took the title "wealthiest person in Houston" in 2024, according to Forbes.
Fertitta and Trump
Fertitta purchased Trump's Atlantic City hotel and renamed it in 2011.
According to Forbes, he contributed $140,000 to Trump's 2020 campaign. He also donated $5,600 to President Joe Biden's 2020 campaign.
Fertitta attended a private fundraiser for Trump in October, ahead of the November election. He was also present for the Space X rocket launch in South Texas with Trump and Space X CEO Elon Musk.
