“I’m buying it,” Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon joked Tuesday, before getting more serious about the matter.
“Many groups now have called me and want me involved,” Olajuwon, now a Rockets team ambassador, said. “With two of the groups, I’m doing my background check to see if that is a possibility. Just an association would be great.
“I’m still with the organization now. I have a contract with the Rockets, not to be in an ownership position. But if the opportunity opens itself, it will be something great.”
Longtime Rockets owner Leslie Alexander announced last month he wants to sell the team. A number of groups have been sniffing around the process so far, which is fairly early on. Forbes estimated the value of the Rockets at $1.65 billion, but considering the quality of the team on the court right now (and the money that generates) and the stability of the NBA with the new television deal, means this sale could break the record sum Steve Ballmer paid for the Clippers ($2 billion).
Olajuwon obviously could not buy the team on his own, but could have a role as the face of the ownership group, sort of like the role Grant Hill has in Atlanta. Olajuwon lives in the United Kingdom now with his family but still works for the Rockets.
