Tuesday, June 2, 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

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.

Featured Today

Frances Cabral-Delaney

How Arsenal Fandom Went ‘Manic’

“People do not become Arsenal fans because it’s easy,” says Zohran Mamdani.
May 23, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Fans participate in a tarp off during a MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium
May 28, 2026

‘Tarps Off’: How Shirtless Fans Took Over MLB

The viral movement began with the SFA club baseball team.
Apr 6, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) walks to the on deck circle during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field
May 28, 2026

Why Ballparks Are Louder Than Ever

Some stadiums sound like veritable nightclubs. How did we get here?
May 24, 2026; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats attack Kathryn Ratanaproeksa (13) shoots against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half at Martin Stadium
May 26, 2026

Can Women’s Lacrosse Buck the Trend in College Sports?

The sport is fighting to prove its worth in the revenue-sharing era.
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

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.
Sep 25, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics lead owner and governor Bill Chisholm speaks during a press conference at Auerbach Center.
October 22, 2025

The NBA’s Expanding Private-Equity Footprint

There is a PE connection of some kind for 20 of 30 teams.
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.
Sponsored

Landon Donovan: What Soccer in America Still Needs

Landon Donovan discusses the evolution of soccer in America and investing in the NWSL.
Oct 5, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees smiles prior to the game against the New York Giants at Caesars Superdome.
October 21, 2025

Drew Brees Flag Football League Sells to PE Amid Youth Boom

Football ‘N’ America operates 24 flag football leagues across the country.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
Jason Belzer
October 17, 2025

College Sports Is ‘Too Big of an Opportunity’

Panelists at the Asset Class summit agreed college sports is the next frontier.
Jon Ledecky
October 17, 2025

Islanders Owner Warns WNBA Against Labor Strife: ‘No Bueno’

Jon Ledecky drew a stark contrast between the two leagues.