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The owner of the Houston Rockets, Tilman Fertitta, just got a big promotion on Saturday afternoon. President-elect Donald Trump announced that he’d nominated the 67-year-old Fertitta to serve as the United States Ambassador to Italy.

“I am pleased to announce that Tilman J. Fertitta has been nominated to serve as the United States Ambassador to Italy,” Trump posted on Saturday.

“Tilman is an accomplished businessman, who has founded and built one of our Country’s (sic) premier entertainment and real estate companies, employing approximately 50,000 Americans. Tilman has a long history of giving back to the community through numerous philanthropic initiatives, which include children’s charities, Law Enforcement, and the medical community. Additionally, Tilman is the longest serving Chairman of the Board of Regents for the University of Houston. He also owns the Houston Rockets Basketball team.”

Fertitta

Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta Photo: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Tilman Fertitta A Surprising Choice For US Ambassador

Some ambassador appointments are made with actual diplomatic experience in mind, but that’s clearly not the case with Fertitta. 

Fertitta is the owner of the Landry’s restaurant chain, hosted a fundraiser for Trump’s reelection campaign earlier in 2024 at his Post Oak Hotel in Houston. One of the few people involved in the flailing NBA who isn’t openly antagonistic to Trump and the Republican Party. 

He does have Italian heritage, and is an owner or investor in several casino properties. Including holding a minority stake in the Wynn Las Vegas. Fertitta’s estimated net worth is anywhere from $8.5 to $10 billion, not surprising since he paid $2.2 billion for the Rockets in 2017.

It’s not clear whether he’ll take a step back from day-to-day ownership responsibilities, assuming he’s approved as ambassador. On the court, the Rockets are off to an 18-9 start, sitting a half game back of the Memphis Grizzlies in the Southwest Division.