Donald Trump, set to begin his second term as U.S. President on January 20, is reportedly planning to appoint an NBA team owner as the next U.S. Ambassador to Italy.
According to a report by CBS News’ Jennifer Jacobs, Houston Rockets owner Tillman Fertitta is expected to take on the role. Fertitta, 67, acquired the Rockets in 2017 and boasts a net worth of $10.9 billion, as estimated by Forbes. He built his fortune as chairman of Landry’s, a company that operates casinos, hotels, and restaurants such as Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Born in Galveston, Texas, Fertitta has Sicilian roots, making him a fitting choice for the position.
It remains unclear how Fertitta’s potential appointment would impact his daily responsibilities with the Rockets. A precedent exists from Trump’s previous term when New York Jets owner Woody Johnson served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, leaving the team’s operations under the control of his brother, Christopher. However, Johnson will not return to the role; instead, billionaire Warren Stephens has been selected.
The current U.S. Ambassador to Italy, Jack Markell, was appointed under the Biden administration.
In another ambassadorial announcement, Trump has nominated former Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle as the U.S. Ambassador to Greece. Guilfoyle, who was previously engaged to Donald Trump Jr., appears to have moved on as Trump Jr. was recently seen with another partner.
