U.S. Houston billionaire to buy Rockets for 2.2 billion dollars

HOUSTON, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- A billionaire in Houston in southern U.S. state of Texas has agreed to purchase the Houston Rockets, a professional basketball team, from the current owner Leslie Alexander, according to local media Houston Chronical on Tuesday.

Tillman Fertitta, 60, said "This is a life-long dream come true."

Fertitta, chairman and CEO of Landry's Inc. and chairman of the University of Houston Board of Regents, said he was "truly honored to have been chosen as the next owner of the Houston Rockets."

The 2.2 billion U.S. dollars sale price breaks the NBA record sale of 2 billion U.S. dollars when the Los Angeles Clippers, another professional basketball team based in Los Angeles in California, was sold to Steve Ballmer.

Fertitta said, "Leslie Alexander has been one of the best owners in all of sports, and I thank him immensely for this opportunity. He has the heart of a champion. Lastly, out of respect for the NBA's approval process, I can say no more other than I am overwhelmed with emotion to have this opportunity in my beloved city of Houston."

Alexander, 73, purchased the Rockets in 1993 from Charlie Thomas for 85 million U.S. dollars. He announced his plan to sell the team in July.