Forget about Yao to team up with some rich Chinese guys to buy the Rockets. First of all, most of the other owners in this league will strongly against this idea, and most importantly, the Chinese government already started to crack down those Chinese rich people's overseas investment, AMC's stock just dropped 10% in one day not long ago. You will hope some local guys to buy this team rather than some rich guys from the silicon valley. Really don't give a sh't if the new owner has 1000 taco bell or HEB or selling overpriced furnitures, as long as they will keeo he team here in H town, that all we should care about.
This is like one of those what if player or former player buys the team stories that we typically laugh at. Except in this case, it definitely could be possible, and the pieces do add up. - Chinese buyer(s) probably interested and likely to "overpay"? Check - Chinese buyer(s) likely to look to Yao to partner up? Check - Yao would love to do it? Check - Yao would be a great owner? Check Hope this happens.
↕ Friedkin sounds good to me... ($6.58B net worth [#242 Bloomberg index]) Toyota Secures Naming Rights to New Downtown Arena HOUSTON, July 24, 2003 [...] Dan Friedkin, president of the Friedkin Companies, Inc., which owns Gulf States Toyota, is a real supporter of Houston and Texas. It was his idea and initiative to have Toyota name this new arena. “Toyota Center is the culmination of a long-term vision for Toyota in the Houston marketplace,” said Friedkin. “It is an indication of the growth and popularity of the Toyota brand in this market and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to Houston.”