Latest news with #Fertitta
Epoch Times
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Country Singer Zac Brown to Receive Veterans Voice Award at 2025 AMAs
Zac Brown, frontman of the Grammy Award-winning country rock group the Zac Brown Band, has dedicated much of his career to serving veterans. In 2011, the singer-songwriter launched Camp Southern Ground, a retreat center based in Fayetteville, Georgia, that offers a variety of programs for former military personnel and children. He also regularly invites vets on stage during his shows to help raise awareness for the men and women who have risked their lives for this country. Brown's unwavering support of the veteran community hasn't gone unnoticed. On Memorial Day, the 46-year-old musician will be honored at the 2025 American Music Awards with the inaugural Veterans Voice Award, given to artists who have used their platforms to make meaningful, lasting impacts on the lives of veterans. 'This award means a lot to me because of the awareness that it's going to create for our veterans programs,' Brown 'The more people that are aware of how deserving these incredible people are, the more help that we can bring to them,' he added. Related Stories 3/1/2025 2/15/2025 'They're such incredible, dynamic people that make a lot of sacrifices, from their family, the quality of their family life when they return home, their mental wellness, all of those things, so that we can be free and able to be here.' The award will be presented by the Easy Day Foundation, a Las Vegas-based nonprofit founded by Frank Fertitta IV and Landon Gyulay in 2023 that supports veterans in their transition to civilian life. The AMAs, which will air live on May 26 during Military Appreciation Month on CBS and Paramount+, partnered with the organization to highlight the work of former and current military members, all while raising funds for the veteran community. Fertitta told The Epoch Times that presenting the Veterans Voice Award to Brown will be a major highlight of the show. 'We'll also showcase inspiring stories directly from Veterans and active-duty service members, people whose courage defines what this country stands for,' Fertitta said. Viewers can also expect to see 'powerful performances tied into the theme of service, resilience, and unity,' Gyulay added. 'What's most important to us is that Veterans aren't just being talked about, they're being included, front and center. This show is for them. And we hope it sparks a wave of compassion and commitment that lasts far beyond the broadcast.'
Epoch Times
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
American Music Awards Partners With Easy Day Foundation to Honor Veterans on Memorial Day
The 2025 American Music Awards will honor more than just this year's most influential artists. Airing for the first time on Memorial Day, the fan-voted award show will also pay tribute to some of the nation's greatest heroes— U .S. veterans. The AMAs partnered with the Easy Day Foundation to shine a national spotlight on former military and active-duty personnel while raising funds for the veteran community. Founded in 2023 by Frank Fertitta IV and Landon Gyulay, the Las Vegas-based grant-making nonprofit helps service members transition to civilian life by providing funding and resources to partner organizations that support veterans. The charity serves as the first official foundation partner of the AMAs, which will air live on May 26 during Military Appreciation Month on CBS and Paramount+. A portion of the award show's ticket sales will benefit the Easy Day Foundation. The program will also feature several in-show fundraising moments for some of the nonprofit's beneficiaries, including the Folded Flag Foundation, the Bob Woodruff Foundation, the Boot Campaign, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas's Military and Veteran Services Center. In an interview with The Epoch Times, Fertitta said the partnership marks an incredible milestone for his foundation. Related Stories 4/24/2025 10/29/2024 'To now be aligned with the American Music Awards, the world's biggest fan-voted music event, is exactly the kind of platform we've envisioned to fulfill our mission,' he explained. Fertitta, an executive at Red Rock Resorts, said the show will allow the Easy Day Foundation to amplify its message on a broader scale and be a guiding light for patriotism by building 'community, visibility, and tangible support' for the brave men and women who have risked their lives for this country. 'Our mission at the AMAs is to turn inspiration into impact, and that starts with awareness,' he said. 'We want to inspire a new generation of philanthropic leaders and hope that viewers walk away with a deeper understanding of the challenges Veterans face after service and why continued support is so critical.' According to the Moreover, veterans are at an increased risk of developing a substance or alcohol use disorder. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 'That's why our partnership with the AMAs is so important,' Fertitta said. 'It amplifies visibility on Easy Day Foundation's three mission pillars—mental health, job placement, and family support, which directly address the urgent needs of those who have served and sacrificed.' Gyulay noted that his foundation's efforts go far beyond raising awareness for the struggles many veterans face each day. 'It's about action,' he told The Epoch Times. 'Ultimately, real change starts with understanding, and our goal is to shed visibility on the crucial need for support as veterans transition from military to civilian life.' In addition to fundraising opportunities, Gyulay said the 2025 AMAs will also feature special performances tied to themes of service, resilience, and unity. 'What's most important to us is that Veterans aren't just being talked about, they're being included, front and center,' he said. 'This show is for them. And we hope it sparks a wave of compassion and commitment that lasts far beyond the broadcast.' The 2025 American Music Awards, hosted by singer Jennifer Lopez, will air on CBS and Paramount+. Courtesy the American Music Awards Veteran television personality Dick Clark launched the AMAs in 1974. This year's show, hosted by singer and actress Jennifer Lopez, will take place at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, a luxury resort on the Las Vegas Strip. The broadcast will mark the award show's return to television for the first time in almost three years, following the expiration of its previous contract with ABC. Presenters will include actress Cara Delevingne, singer Ciara, and comedians Nikki Glaser, Tiffany Haddish, and Wayne Brady. A variety of entertainers are slated to take the stage, including country stars Blake Shelton and Lainey Wilson, rising pop-rock star Benson Boone, and Latin pop singer Gloria Estefan, who will be performing at the AMAs for the first time in more than 30 years. Singer-songwriter Janet Jackson is also expected to perform, marking her first television performance in almost a decade. The 11-time AMA-winner will receive the show's prestigious ICON Award, which is given to artists whose music has had a significant cultural and global influence on the music industry. British singer Rod Stewart will take home the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his nearly six-decade career.
USA Today
25-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Entering NBA offseason, Rockets focused on both talent and chemistry
Entering NBA offseason, Rockets focused on both talent and chemistry 'A winning basketball team not only takes a lot of talent, it takes a lot of chemistry,' Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta says, via PaperCity. 'You can't just look at it from a numbers standpoint.' The Houston Rockets clearly aren't ruling out superstar trade pursuits this offseason, but it's far from a given that any will reach the finish line. After leading the league in roster continuity prior to the 2024-25 season, the Rockets rose from 41-41 and No. 11 in the Western Conference in 2023-24 to 52-30 and No. 2 in the West in 2024-25. As owner Tilman Fertitta sees it, that's no coincidence. And a further leap might happen in 2025-26, should Houston simply stay the course. 'A winning basketball team not only takes a lot of talent, it takes a lot of chemistry,' Fertitta said during the recently completed 2025 playoffs, as captured by Chris Baldwin of PaperCity Magazine. 'You can't just take players, move them in and out, and change out half the team and not worry about the chemistry of the team. You can't just look at it from a numbers standpoint.' 'You have to play together as a team. And I think one of the positives about this team is they all really like each other and they all know their place (on the team). And they all respect each other.' 'The continuity is definitely a competitive advantage,' added Patrick Fertitta, Tilman's son and ownership's day-to-day representative in basketball operations. The Rockets also have in-depth knowledge of their young prospects, since each was selected after an extensive pre-draft scouting and interviewing process in recent years. 'We studied all these players that are on this team,' the elder Fertitta said, via PaperCity. 'We know everything about every player on this team. Their whole life.' In the same article, general manager Rafael Stone credited continuity as at least part of the reason for the leaps taken by some of Houston's young players last season. Alperen Sengun became a first-time NBA All-Star and drew All-NBA votes for the first time, while Amen Thompson earned Most Improved Player votes. 'Especially with a young team, we thought that continuity would be helpful for the younger players,' Stone told PaperCity. 'The more you know people, the more secure you feel. The easier it is to be yourself and grow.' As things stand, Houston has a 'young core' comprised of seven players selected in the first round of the 2021 through 2024 draft cycles: Jalen Green, Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, Thompson, Cam Whitmore, and Reed Sheppard. All were 23 years old or younger last season. Should the Rockets stay the course, that's probably the group from which further developmental leaps can be found. More: 2024-25 NBA awards ballots: Who voted for members of the Rockets?
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta confirmed by Senate as new U.S. Ambassador to Italy
Tilman Fertitta, the billionaire owner of the NBA's Houston Rockets and chairman, president, and CEO of dining, hospitality, gaming, and entertainment corporation Landry's Inc., was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as the United States Ambassador to Italy. Tuesday's vote was 83-14 in support of Fertitta's nomination. Fertitta, 67, has ancestral roots in the region. His great-great-uncles were Sicilian immigrants who settled in Galveston, Texas. A Houston native, Fertitta is often referred to as 'the world's richest restaurateur.' Through Landry's, Fertitta owns more than 600 properties in 36 states and in over 15 countries. His restaurants feature more than 80 different restaurant brands. He also owns and operates numerous gaming, hospitality, and entertainment venues, including the Golden Nugget Casino and Hotel brand. Last fall, Forbes estimated Fertitta's total net worth at $10.1 billion, ranking him as the 99th-richest person in the United States. That figure is up about $2 billion from 2023. In March, Fertitta stated that pending confirmation, he plans to separate himself from numerous business entities. That list includes his position as CEO of Fertitta Entertainment LLC, the holding company that includes entities such as Landry's Inc. and the Golden Nugget franchise. Fertitta also plans to resign from positions with several other hospitality entities, major corporations, and nonprofit organizations, including the NBA team's Clutch City Foundation. Another resignation will take place with the University of Houston system, where Fertitta is chair of the Board of Regents. But with regards to the Rockets, his ownership role will not change. Furthermore, Tilman's 30-year-old son, Patrick, has served as the day-to-day ownership representative for multiple years. Thus, from a team perspective, there will be minimal changes — even if Tilman is away. More: 'We have liftoff': Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta celebrates playoff-clinching win This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to Italy
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta confirmed as Trump's ambassador to Italy
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta, 83-14, to serve as the ambassador to Italy and San Marino. Fertitta is the CEO of Landry's — which includes restaurants, casinos and hotels — and the owner of the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association. He also starred in the television show 'Billion Dollar Buyer.' During his April 1 confirmation hearing, Fertitta said he was focused on increasing trade between the United States and Italy, adding, 'There is so much more that can be done.' He said he wants to "close the gap" in the United States' trade deficit with Italy, partially through the Italian government working with American energy companies. The deficit, where the United States imports more goods from Italy than the country exports to Italy, was more than $43 billion in 2024 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Italy is 'receptive' to doing more business with the United States, Fertitta said. 'They're very excited about having an American, true entrepreneur, come over there and work with them,' Fertitta said about his conversations with Italian officials. In March, he told the State Department he will resign from various positions, including his roles with Landry's and on the University of Houston System Board of Regents, upon his confirmation by the Senate. He will remain in his ownership position with the Houston Rockets, his letter to the department said, and will not participate in any situation that could interfere with the NBA or the team while serving as ambassador. While introducing Fertitta during his Senate confirmation hearing, Sen. John Cornyn praised Fertitta as 'one of the nation's most prominent businessmen,' and as a voice in the Houston area – naming his donations to the University of Houston, his positions on various boards, and his work with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on reopening businesses after COVID-19 shutdowns. 'Tilman's realization of the American dream will serve him well as the voice for our nation's interests and as an advocate for a strong relationship between the United States and Italy,' Cornyn said. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fertitta was outspoken about how his business empire was struggling due to restrictions in the United States and overseas. He was a member of Abbott's task force to 'reopen' Texas after lockdowns, which drew criticisms for being made up of business executives, not local elected officials. Fertitta also participated in a roundtable with Trump and other restaurateurs in May 2020 focused on what the industry needed to reopen following COVID-19 shutdowns. Fertitta publicly supported Trump's presidency in 2017, when he shared his optimism for the new president's economic policies. He is a prolific political donor, donating to mostly Republicans, including Trump and Abbott. Fertitta held a Houston fundraiser for Trump's 2024 presidential campaign. Italy's conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has closely aligned herself with Trump. The pair met at the White House earlier this month where Trump called Meloni a 'friend,' and said she has 'taken Europe by storm.' San Marino is a microstate surrounded by Italy with a population of about 35,000 people. Disclosure: University of Houston has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. Tickets are on sale now for the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, Texas' breakout ideas and politics event happening Nov. 13–15 in downtown Austin. Get tickets before May 1 and save big! TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
