• Loading stock data...
Sunday, December 15, 2024

Rockets Owner Expands SPAC Deal by $2 Billion

  • Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta has expanded his SPAC deal to take Fertitta Entertainment Inc. public to acquire more companies.
  • The deal now values the combined company at $8.6 billion.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta has more on his plate than rebuilding the franchise.

The billionaire expanded the SPAC merger taking Fertitta Entertainment public to include more restaurant and hospitality companies.

Fertitta bought the Rockets for $2.2 billion in 2017.

The additions will lift the valuation of the combined company from $6.6 billion up to $8.6 billion. The properties added to the deal include Catch Hospitality Group and Mastro’s Restaurants, among others.

  • Fertitta will own around 72% of the company and be its chairman, president, and CEO. 
  • Fertitta Entertainment already includes Golden Nugget Hotel & Casinos, Golden Nugget Online Gaming, and restaurant company Landry’s.

The merger with FAST Acquisition agreed to in February initially had Fertitta claiming a 60% stake, with investors like Fidelity and BlackRock contributing $1.2 billion for roughly 35% of the business.

Landry’s said on Wednesday that shareholders have agreed to purchase $1.24 billion in stock upon completion of the merger.  

The combined companies’ net revenues are estimated at $917-$920 million for the second quarter of 2021. FAST previously raised $200 million in its August 2020 IPO.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd running back Ethan Payne (28) dives in for the touchdown during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory

Portal-Depleted Marshall Bows Out of Independence Bowl

Louisiana Tech (5–7) will take Marshall’s place.
Dec 9, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) hoists the NBA Cup and celebrates with teammates after winning the NBA In-Season Tournament Championship game against the Indiana Pacers at T-Mobile Arena.

NBA Cup Year 2: Tweaks, Schedule Concerns, and Growing Pains

While Vegas has been the event’s location for the last two years, that could change because the NBA may add an expansion team in Sin City.
Dec 4, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) looks to pass against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first half at Kaseya Center.

Heat Open to Jimmy Butler Trades, but Here’s Why Deal Will Be..

The Heat are reportedly “open” to hearing trade offers for Butler.
Tilman Fertitta

Rockets Owner Tilman Fertitta in Line for Trump Appointment, Wants to Buy..

Fertitta had given hundreds of thousands of dollars to Trump.

Featured Today

Michigan signee Bryce Underwood smiles during national signing day at Belleville High School in Belleville on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024.

Reader Mailbag: Is the NIL Era Out of Control?

Readers had a lot to say about Ellison and the NIL era.
December 13, 2024

The Top-Secret Operation to Create the Army-Navy Football Uniforms

The two-year process includes dozens of employees, NDAs, and military historians.
Nov 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of a Wilson NBA basketball held by a referee during the second half between the Utah Jazz against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena
December 9, 2024

‘Obvious Weak Point’: Refs Remain an NBA Gambling Concern

A season after Jontay Porter, the biggest risk may not be players.
Nov 2, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines cheerleader runs with a flag before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Michigan Stadium.
opinion
December 7, 2024

College Football’s Billionaire Backer Era Begins

Is this the new normal in CFB recruiting?
Dec 1, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters (L) talks with Commanders owner Josh Harris (R) on the field prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at Northwest Stadium.

CEO Leaves $13 Billion Soup Company to Run Commanders

The new president will lead the planning and development of the team’s stadium.
November 15, 2024

Adam Silver Defends NBA Product Amid Sluggish Ratings

Silver said the NBA compares itself to “the biggest brands in the world.”
LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan after the final round of golf during the CME Group Tour Championship at the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla., Sunday, November 19, 2023.
December 2, 2024

LPGA Commissioner Leaving After Brief Up-and-Down Tenure

Mollie Marcoux Samaan was hired in 2021.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
November 11, 2024

Endeavor to Sell OpenBet, IMG Arena to Its CEO Ari Emanuel

The move is “a necessary step” as Endeavor seeks to go private.
May 22, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves minority owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez look on in the second half against the Dallas Mavericks during game one of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Target Center.
October 23, 2024

A-Rod, Lore Deposit $940M As Wolves Ownership Hearing Nears

Rodriguez and Lore made a large escrow deposit in advance of a key upcoming arbitration hearing.
October 22, 2024

Dude Perfect CEO’s Task: Make the Dudes a Media Company

Dude Perfect’s new CEO wants fans to be able to experience the brand in person.
Feb 13, 2023; Beverly Hills, CA, USA; Disney CEO Bob Iger arrives at the 95th Oscars nominees luncheon at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023.
October 21, 2024

Bob Iger’s Successor Won’t Be Named Until 2026

Iger’s current contract expires at the end of 2026.