Rockets fetch NBA-record $2.2 billion

Restaurant and casino owner Tilman Fertitta agreed to buy the Houston Rockets from Leslie Alexander on Tuesday for an NBArecord $2.2 billion, a person with knowledge of the details said.

The price surpasses the $2 billion Steve Ballmer paid for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014. The value was confirmed to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because terms were to remain private.

The deal must be approved by the NBA Board of Governors. It includes Clutch City Sports and Entertainment, which puts on shows and concerts at the Toyota Center.

“I am truly honored to have been chosen as the next owner of the Houston Rockets. This is a life-long dream come true,” he said. “Leslie Alexander has been one of the best owners in all of sports, and I thank him immensely for this opportunity. I am overwhelmed with emotion to have this opportunity in my beloved city of Houston.”

Fertitta will be the team’s sole owner. He is the owner of the Landry’s restaurant chain and Golden Nugget casino and hotels. He was born in Galveston, Texas, and has lived in Houston his entire adult life. The 60-year-old billionaire is the chairman of the board of regents of the University of Houston System and star of the reality show “Billion Dollar Buyer” on CNBC.

Alexander, who announced the team was for sale in July, took over as owner on July 30, 1993, and the Rockets went on to win back-to-back titles in 199495 behind the likes of Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler. In 24 seasons under Alexander, the Rockets have won 56.9 percent of their games, fifth-highest in the league.

“I am excited to welcome and pass the torch to Tilman,” Alexander said. “He is a Houstonian, business leader and committed to the success and excellence of the Rockets. I don’t think I could have found anyone more capable of continuing the winning tradition of our Houston Rockets.”

College basketball

CLARKE HEADED TO GONZAGA >> Brandon Clarke, who led San Jose State in scoring last season, is transferring to WCC power Gonzaga. Clarke will sit out next season and then have two years of eligibility remaining. Clarke was named first team All-Mountain West Conference last season after scoring 17.3 points and averaging 8.7 rebounds per game for the Spartans. He led the conference in shooting at 59.2 percent, and added 2.57 blocked shots per game.

Soccer

COLOMBIA GETS BIG POINT >> Radamel Falcao scored a second-half header to salvage a 1-1 draw for Colombia against group leader Brazil, earning an important point in qualification for next year’s World Cup. In other matches in South America: Bolivia edged Chile 1-0, Peru beat Ecuador 2-1, Venezuela drew 1-1 at Argentina, and Uruguay defeated Paraguay 2-1. Brazil has already qualified for the World Cup with 37 points from 16 matches. The other three automatic spots are still up for grabs going into the final two rounds next month.

Rio Olympics

VOTE-BUYING SCHEME RESPORTEDLY UNCOVERED >> Brazilian and French authorities said they uncovered an international corruption scheme aimed at buying votes in awarding the 2016 Olympics. This is the latest allegation to sully the legacy of the Rio Games, the first Olympics in South America. The disclosures came as police in Rio de Janeiro raided the home of Brazilian Olympic Committee president Carlos Nuzman. They emerged with suitcases, documents and a computer. Police said detention warrants had been issued for Nuzman and an associate, businessman Arthur Cesar de Menezes Soares Filho, who authorities believe to be in Miami.

Nuzman left his house accompanied by his lawyer and later appeared at a police station for questioning. Lawyer Sergio Mazzillo said his client would cooperate but “did not commit any irregularity.”

Cycling

FROOME IN CHARGE >> Chris Froome won individual time trial to increase his Spanish Vuelta lead and remain in position to win the race for the first time. The Tour de France winner had a dominant performance in the flat 24.9-mile stage from the Navarra Circuit to Logrono in northern Spain, finishing 29 seconds ahead of Dutch rider Wilco Kelderman and 57 seconds in front of Italian rider Vincenzo Nibali. In the overall standings, the British rider’s lead over Nibali increased to 1 minute, 58 seconds.