Tuesday, September 22, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

Fertitta Entertainment Calls Off $8.6B SPAC Merger

  • Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta will not be taking his company public through a merger with FAST Acquisition Corp.
  • The SPAC will continue looking for a deal partner.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta and the SPAC that was to take his company public have decided to call off the merger.

Fertitta Entertainment had agreed to go public by merging with FAST Acquisition Corp. in a deal valuing the combined company at $8.6 billion. The company owns Golden Nugget Gaming and restaurant chain operator Landry’s.

The deal had an unusual number of twists and turns for a SPAC merger.

  • The two sides initially linked up in February on a deal that valued the combined company at $6.6 billion.
  • It was expanded in June to include additional hospitality and entertainment companies, adding $2 billion to the company’s valuation.
  • Earlier this month, Fertitta Entertainment sought to terminate the deal because it had not been completed by its Dec. 1 deadline. 
  • FAST sought to force the deal to go through, saying the delay was because Fertitta Entertainment had failed to produce required documents.

FAST Still Looking to Deal

Fertitta Entertainment will pay up to $33 million to extract itself from the deal. Part of that sum is contingent on whether FAST goes on to merge with another company.

FAST raised $200 million in an IPO in August 2020.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

May 13, 2006; Washington, D.C, USA; FILE PHOTO; Houston Comets at Washington Mystics -- Houston forward Sheryl Swoopes brings the ball up court.

Houston WNBA Team Expects to Keep Comets Name

The Connecticut Sun will move to Houston in 2027.

NBA Playoffs Get Strong Early Ratings

It’s unclear whether Luka Dončić will return in the second round.
Aug 27, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Connecticut Sun forward Aneesah Morrow (24) grabs a rebound against the Dallas Wings during the first half at College Park Center.

Fertittas to Purchase Connecticut Sun for Record $300 Million

The Sun will play the 2026 season in Connecticut before relocating to Houston.

NBC Made Its NBA Return Feel Big

From the nostalgia to Jordan getting personal, NBC hit the right chords.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/22/26 – Aikman Waits on ESPN, Paramount Clears Hurdle, Doc Rivers Returns to Booth

0:00

Featured Today

Hot & Social/Mets

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
Exclusive
September 18, 2026

Vicious Infighting Is Jeopardizing the Future of Women’s Baseball

The WPBL’s own CEO admits there’s a “power struggle.”
September 17, 2026

Fantasy Football Drafts Are Turning Into Full-Blown Vacations

Leagues are forgoing solo drafts and replacing them with in-person getaways.
Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena
September 10, 2026

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
September 6, 2026

Is Carolyn Tisch Blodgett the Future Face of Giants Ownership?

Amid changes at top of Giants ownership, eyes are on Tisch Blodgett.
Exclusive

LeBron James Polymarket Deal Worth $15 Million a Year

James is not an investor in Polymarket, just an endorser.
Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links GC stretches his left leg next to Tom Kim during warms up before match against the Los Angeles Golf Club who won the TGL finals at SoFi Center on March 24, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Exclusive
September 10, 2026

New Funding Doubles TGL Parent Company Valuation to $1B

TMRW is the parent company of indoor golf leagues TGL and WTGL.
Ndamukong Suh
September 16, 2026

Ndamukong Suh: ‘I Don’t Necessarily Agree’ With PE in Youth Sports

“They’re always gonna be looking for those returns.”
Sponsored

How Ryan Smith Is Building the Future of Sports in Utah

Utah Jazz and Mammoth owner talks from tech to team ownership.
Aug 25, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; General overall view of Seattle Seahawks logo at CenturyLink Field during a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Exclusive
September 4, 2026

Mark Stevens Is Seahawks’ Top Minority Investor

Other investors joined the Seahawks’ new ownership from the Mittal-Grousbeck group.
September 3, 2026

Meet the Seahawks’ New Minority Owners

There are multiple PE, VC, and AI investors.
Feb 5, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view a Wilson NBA basketball and logo during the game between the Mavericks and the Spurs at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Exclusive
September 3, 2026

‘Deal Terms on the Table’: Inside the NBA’s Prediction-Market Talks

Multiple prediction-market partners are expected in time for this season.
Exclusive
August 30, 2026

US Open Signs Exclusive Deal With Kalshi

The surprise deal was reached just ahead of this year’s main draw.