After the surprising announcement made by Houston Rockets CEO Tad Brown that team owner Leslie Alexander has decided to put the team up for sale, a potential buyer has already emerged. Lander’s and Golden Nugget Casino owner Tilman Fretitta immediately expressed his desire to purchase the franchise, but now he may have competition in becoming its next majority stakeholder.
News has emerged that former NBA player and Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo is currently gathering resources and investors for them to bid and possibly own one of the teams that he played for during his stellar career. The 51-year-old confirmed the development via FOX 26 Sports’ Mark Berman, where he also said that he’s been receiving a lot of support from people who think it’s a great move on his part to try and become a team owner.
“I’m working on it. I’m talking to a lot of people already since (Monday). We’ll see.
“I’m just talking to the people who can cut the check and they can make me be part of it. I’m working on that.”
“A lot of people think it’s a great thing. It’s a great opportunity.
“Now it’s just a question of the number. There’s going to be a lot of discussion and a lot of cash.”
Mutombo then discussed what made him interested in being part of the team that could potentially own the Rockets. He cited its rich history as well as their current crop of players, who could make the franchise very successful in the coming years, as the main reasons why it had a strong appeal to him.
“It’s like someone who’s already sitting on the runway trying to take off. That’s what kind of team the Rockets are right now. The Rockets are a great franchise. They have a great team. They’ve got great coaches, great basketball players, great staff. Whoever is coming in, it’s not like they’re going to have to rebuild it.”
“I’m trying to convince some people about trying to buy this team. It’s one of the best franchises right now. It’s really the right time.”
Mutombo played for the Rockets from 2004 to 2009 and retired with the team. He was one of the best shotblockers during his heyday and finished his career with averages of 9.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 2.8 blocks in 1196 games. Should he be successful in becoming a part-owner of the team, he would be one of only a few former players to become a stakeholder in an NBA franchise, boosting his stock as a businessman.
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