Wednesday, October 21, 2026

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

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

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.

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

Sign up for the
Asset Class Newsletter

Get the latest in sports finance, investment, and transaction activity, straight to your inbox once a week.

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

10/21/26 – T-Mac Backs Clippers Penalty, 80-to-1 Rays Haunt Sportsbooks, Jay-Z Picks Jay-Z

0:00

Featured Today

Football - NFL - Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 18, 2026 The necklace of a Jacksonville Jaguars fan outside the stadium before the match

Die-Hard Sports Fandom Has Reached the Afterlife

Will fans pay $6,000 to memorialize their team loyalty?
October 20, 2026

Why Europe Is Pumping Out NBA Superstars

The NBA and NCAA have an increasingly European flavor.
October 15, 2026

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena
October 12, 2026

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?

Diamond Baseball Holdings Interested in ‘Any and All’ MiLB Teams

The Silver Lake–backed entity remains on the hunt for more teams.
Exclusive
September 15, 2026

Novig CEO Says Sydney Sweeney Drove Visuals of Nude Ad

“We never intended to portray female sports,” Jacob Fortinsky told FOS.
Sam Porter
September 15, 2026

Private Equity Giant Apollo Taking ‘Hard Look’ at NFL Investment

Apollo isn’t on the NFL’s approved PE list—yet.
Sponsored

Blake Griffin’s Plan for Media Domination

The former NBA star is building a second act across media & entertainment.
Mar 28, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves minority owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez celebrate the team's win over the Phoenix Suns at Target Center
August 21, 2026

Why Flood of NBA Team Sales Isn’t Slowing

Often it’s less about love of team, more about love of returns.
May 24, 2026; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Yoni Andica (COL) during the weightlifting competition at the Enhanced Games at Resorts World Las Vegas. Mandatory Credit:
August 18, 2026

Enhanced Games Parent Company Posts $62M Loss After Debut Event

Enhanced Groups is now focusing on supplements and smaller events.
Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 28, 2026 France's Moise Kouame reacts during his second round match against Paraguay's Adolfo Daniel Vallejo REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
May 29, 2026

Lawyers Explain Odd Case of Moïse Kouamé’s French Open Prize Money

Kouamé has secured nearly $220,000 by advancing to Round 3 in Paris.
Oct 12, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) takes the field prior to a game against the Detroit Lions at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
October 23, 2025

Can Travis Kelce Save Six Flags?

The NFL star joined an activist investor in pushing for change.