TILMAN FERTITTA talks to MAXIM about building his business empire, his commitment to customers and his most recent acquisition — a star-studded NBA team with stratospheric ambitions...
![The Houston Rocket](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/1652/290133/5b4f4c25b3dd1/The-HOUSTON-ROCKET.jpg)
Tilman Fertitta is a relentlessly civic-minded businessman and TV celebrity who could probably win the mayor’s job in Houston if he wanted it. But why downgrade? Fertitta owns the new Post Oak tower going up and the luxury hotel and Rolls-Royce showroom that will reside there. He owns the city’s aquarium. He owns the Kemah Boardwalk amusement park south of Houston. He’s chairman of the University of Houston System Board of Regents. His company, Fertitta Entertainment, owns more than 500 restaurants both locally and nationally, including Landry’s, Mastro’s, Rainforest Café, Morton’s the Steakhouse, and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. And in his spare time he stars in his own reality TV show on CNBC, Billion Dollar Buyer.
The show’s title became even more fitting when Fertitta wrote a check for a reported US$2.2 billion to buy the Houston Rockets of the NBA, the highest price ever paid for a basketball team. He bought the Rockets because he’s a lifelong fan. And because, well, he really wanted to own them. “I knew where the ballpark [was],” he says, referring to the other bidders. “And I knew this is what it was going to take to buy it. I was going to buy this basketball team and that’s it, period.”
Esta historia es de la edición August 2018 de Maxim Australia.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición August 2018 de Maxim Australia.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
![How to... CREATE A WINNING ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1652/1726485/Y1BsGu_w81719480653859/HOW-TO-CREATE-A-WINNING-ENTREPRENEURIAL-MINDSET.jpg)
How to... CREATE A WINNING ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET
Ask any seasoned entrepreneur about the biggest impediment to success, and the answer might surprise you, it's not lack of knowledge or resources, but rather, mindset.
![How to...TURN YOUR PASSION INTO PROFIT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1652/1726485/EOHa1aAO_1719480367111/HOW-TOTURN-YOUR-PASSION-INTO-PROFIT.jpg)
How to...TURN YOUR PASSION INTO PROFIT
Seasoned Ausssie business coach, JIM COCKS, shares his insights into creating success and a multi six-figure income on your own terms...
![HOW TO...PULL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1652/1726485/5qQupHOVE1719479712029/HOW-TOPULL.jpg)
HOW TO...PULL
ALEXA TOWERSEY shares her essential tips on how to pull. And she means chest to bar, not women. Although, it definitely won't harm your chances when it comes to the latter...
![DESTINATION MAXIM - MOONSTAR MAGIC](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1652/1726485/vs6XtF4xF1719478975726/DESTINATION-MAXIM-MOONSTAR-MAGIC.jpg)
DESTINATION MAXIM - MOONSTAR MAGIC
Looking for the ideal escape for fun, adventure with some relaxation thrown into the mix? Moonstar Villa in Koh Samui Thailand, our host location and backdrop for this month's Destination MAXIM tour, is the perfect getaway for you...
![URBAN OASIS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1652/1726485/0EQ9aLwx_1719478473211/URBAN-OASIS.jpg)
URBAN OASIS
Rodney Overby and John Blake, founders of R&B event company Urban Oasis, discuss how they, together with Dave Auld-owner of epic luxury vessel SeaDeck, have created the ultimate party experience...
![The MIGHTY EALES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1652/1726485/tS9ir78EY1719474358763/THE-MIGHTY-EALES.jpg)
The MIGHTY EALES
In his latest book, The Immortals of Australian Rugby Union, Gordon Bray aka 'The Voice of Rugby' in Australia, celebrates the greatest players to wear the green & gold for the Wallabies. And as we gear up for upcoming encounters with the likes of Wales and the All Blacks, we deep dive into the life and incredible career of the most successful captain in the history of Australian rugby-JOHN EALES...
![YEE-ZY!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1652/1726485/msCvlzwfB1719473948023/YEEZY.jpg)
YEE-ZY!
Introducing beautiful budding artist, self-proclaimed nerd, agent and modelling and social media sensation CORRIE YEE. You're welcome...
![POSITIVE POWER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1652/1726485/pKBJNVseN1719473637227/POSITIVE-POWER.jpg)
POSITIVE POWER
Motivational speaker, firefighter, podcaster, author, suicide survivor - ADAM BLUM shares his insights on how to change a negative mindset into a positive one...
![Hybrid Hustle](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1652/1726485/4t4UEVt7J1719473399301/HYBRID-HUSTLE.jpg)
Hybrid Hustle
Aston Martin is launching the Valhalla, their first-ever plug-in hybrid supercar aiming to rival Ferrari's SF90...
![MIAMI HEAT - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT 2024](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1652/1726485/b57FcQQIr1719473009409/MIAMI-HEAT-SPORTS-ILLUSTRATED-SWIMSUIT-2024.jpg)
MIAMI HEAT - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT 2024
From red carpet to runway show and after party, we pulled up poolside at Miami Swim Week to celebrate Sports Illustrated Swimsuit's sweet 60th...