Billionaire Tilman Fertitta, owner of the NBA’s Houston Rockets, is expected to be Trump’s pick for U.S. ambassador to Italy, people familiar with the decision told CBS News. Trump transition officials declined to comment.
Fertitta is a friend of Trump’s and longtime GOP donor who leads Landry’s Inc., a Texas-based corporation with hotels, restaurants and casinos. He starred in a reality TV show on CNBC called “Billion Dollar Buyer” and owns more than 600 properties in 36 states and in over 15 countries, according the company’s website, including the iconic Golden Nugget Casino, Morton’s The Steakhouse, the Palm Restaurant and Joe’s Crab Shack.
Fertitta joined Trump and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk for a Starship rocket launch in Texas in November.
