Houston Rockets Owner Speaks Out on George Floyd

You would think the Houston Rockets would be the last organization to speak out on social issues. The Houston Rockets got into enough trouble last summer when GM Daryl Morey tweeted in support of the Hong Kong protestors. 

The resulting controversy put into jeopardy the NBA’s business relationship with China, as well as the United States trade relationship with the country.

Nonetheless, with the black community protesting in the wake of George Floyd’s death, Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta gave his opinion.

The difference, he says, is that every American has the right to speak up in America. However, the Houston Rockets owner also said that his business should not be a political organization. 

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“Speaking up on an issue in America and speaking up on an issue somewhere else in the world are two different matters,” Fertitta said. 

“In America, we have free speech and we can do whatever we want to do and say whatever we want and not be penalized because of it. That’s why we all love this country so much.

“When it comes to an issue like this in America, you should speak out and say what you want,” he said. 

“And I encourage all my employees from my basketball team to my restaurants to my hotels and casinos to speak out on this issue, and let’s make this country better that we live in and has been great for so many of us.”

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“I love the protesting. That’s what makes America great. Remember, we got in trouble early in the year, my team, because we commented about something which was such a disappointment because that’s what makes America great. I just hate that we have to see the coverage of a few negative things, when it’s such a great issue to be protesting about.”