Multiple ownership groups are looking to buy the Washington Commanders, and another billionaire threw his hat in the ring.
According to the Washington Post, Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta is believed to have toured the Commanders’ facilities and submitted a bid to buy the team.
Fertitta’s bid wasn’t believed to be the top bid, estimated to be “slightly above $5.5 billion.”
In addition to the Rockets, Fertitta owns Landry’s, which is a hospitality and entertainment company. Some of their subsidiaries include Joe’s Crab Shack, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Morton’s Steakhouse, and Golden Nugget casinos nationwide.
Fertitta was an original investor in the Houston Texans but had to sell his stake when he bought into the Golden Nugget. That was back when the NFL had issues with anyone associated with gambling. Now that sports betting is legalized in half the country, and there are ads throughout NFL broadcasts, the rules are more relaxed for a team owner who is from the gaming industry. FedEx Field is also the first NFL stadium to have a sportsbook inside its stadium.
This news comes days after it was reported that Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos collaborated with a company to consider a bid. And Snyder reportedly blocked Bezos from submitting a bid due to the Washington Post’s investigations on the team.
