Tilman Fertitta has undergone a bit of a transformation in terms of his favorability in the public eye. For the first several years of Fertitta’s ownership of the Houston Rockets, he was quite heavily disliked by the Rockets’ fanbase.
Understandably, as he struggled with knowing when/how to insert himself at the onset of his ownership tenure. Fertitta became the face of financial frugality on mainly two fronts: Houston’s unwillingness to pay the luxury tax and Mike D’Antoni’s contract negotiations.
Since then, Fertitta has mostly learned how to stay out of the limelight. Even during the Rockets’ rebuild, in which he endured a ton of losing (and profit losses). Fertitta publicly supported the Rockets’ hiring of then embattled coach Ime Udoka in 2023 and was able to remain patient and avoid a rushed move during Houston’s four year rebuild.
And he made it known, while clearly inebriated, that he was praying for the first overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and a shot at Victor Wembanyama, uniting with fans on several fronts.
Fertitta’s latest power move certainly endeared himself to the Houston community, as he shelled out $300 million for the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun, which will become the Houston Comets in 2027.
Talk about winning the hearts of Houstonians. The Comets were a legendary franchise, even though short-lived. Four championships in four years is impressive, but four championships in the first four years of existence is unheard of.
However, many WNBA fans (most WNBA fans, even) aren’t happy with Fertitta’s purchase. Specifically the process by which Fertitta was selected as the WNBA’a next owner.
Which is unfair to Fertitta.
Fertitta doesn’t control that process. That anger should be directed towards WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
She controlled that process. The person who wins the lottery isn’t to blame. The team that wins the draft lottery isn’t to blame (although they likely did an inordinate amount of shameless tanking along the way).
Franchise relocations suck, in general. And it’s nonsensical and illogical when league commissioners pass on legitimate prospective owners who have illustrated plans to move a franchise forward, like Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagulica, who offered $325 million and was willing to spend another $100 for the franchise to have their own facility in Boaton.
Engelbert put an end to that, stating that the WNBA should control relocation. But again, that has nothing to do with Fertitta.
He waited his turn. And WNBA fans should be happy for the return of the Comets.
Voice your complaints to Engelbert and Adam Silver if you’re unhappy with the process. Don’t take your grudge out on Fertitta. You’d do the same thing if you were in his shoes.
Besides, he’s got some work to do, as it pertains to getting the team good again. This is by no means a ready-made title team.