{{short description|American lawyer}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2021}} {{Infobox person | name = Leslie Alexander | image = | caption = | birth_name = Leslie Lee Alexander | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1943|06|30}} | birth_place = New York City, U.S.<ref name="BS"/> | education = New York University (BS)<br />Thomas Jefferson School of Law (JD) | occupation = Businessman<br />Investor<br />Attorney | known_for = Former owner of the Houston Rockets | spouse = Nanci Shnapier (divorced) | political_party = Democratic | children = 1 }}

'''Leslie Lee Alexander'''<ref name="BS">{{cite book |last=Who's Who |first=Marquis |date=December 2004 |title=Who's Who In The South And Southwest 2005 (who's Who In The South & Southwest) |publisher=Marquis Who's Who |isbn=9780837908359}}</ref> (born June 30, 1943)<ref name="BS" /> is an American attorney, businessman and financier. He is a former bond trader from New York. He formerly owned the National Basketball Association (NBA) team Houston Rockets for 24 years, from 1993 to 2017.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2017/07/17/leslie-alexander-selling-rockets|title=After 24 years, Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander selling team|last=Blinebury|first=Fran|work=NBA.com|access-date=2018-07-13|language=en}}</ref>

==Early life== He was born in 1943, to a Jewish family in New York City. In 1965, he graduated from New York University with a bachelor's degree in economics. He dropped out of Brooklyn Law School after the death of his father, when he began working to support his mother.<ref name=":1" /> He later earned his juris doctor from the San Diego campus of Western State University College of Law, now known as Thomas Jefferson School of Law.<ref name="WNBA bio"/><ref>[http://www.wnba.com/media/comets/03_006_019.pdf Leslie L. Alexander] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819180050/http://www.wnba.com/media/comets/03_006_019.pdf |date=2011-08-19 }} (Houston Comets)</ref>

==Career== Alexander began his career as an attorney. From 1978 to 2009, he was a member of the California State Bar.<ref name="Cal Bar">{{cite web|title=Leslie Lee Alexander - #79581|url=http://members.calbar.ca.gov/search/member_detail.aspx?x=79581|publisher=State Bar of California|access-date=June 27, 2011}}</ref> His first job was trading options and bonds for the Wall Street firm, Lawrence Kotkin Associates. In 1980, he left to form his own investment company, The Alexander Group. As of 2008 he also owned an 18.5% stake in First Marblehead, a private student loan company.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Tamman|first=Mark Maremont, John Hechinger and Maurice|date=2008-11-20|title=Before the Bust, These CEOs Took Money Off the Table|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122713829045342487|access-date=2020-09-14|issn=0099-9660}}</ref>

In the July before the 1993-94 NBA season, Alexander bought the Houston Rockets for $85 million. The Rockets won the NBA championship the next two years: one in the '93-94 season and another in the '94-95 season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2018/02/02/leslie-alexander-kept-houston-rockets-championship-trophies-1994-1995|title=Former Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander kept title trophies after selling team {{!}} NBA.com|last=NBA.com|date=Feb 2, 2018|work=Around the League|access-date=2018-07-13|language=en}}</ref> In 2008, he was listed by ''Forbes'' magazine as the best owner in the NBA.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Riper|first=Tom Van|title=The NBA's Best Owners|url=https://www.forbes.com/2008/12/03/nba-houston-rockets-nba08-biz-sports-cx_tvr_1203nbaowners.html|access-date=2020-09-14|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref>

In 1998, Alexander attempted to purchase and relocate the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers franchise, but a grassroots bid by local businessmen successfully prevented the sale.<ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1997/11/05/oilers-deal-collapses/|title=Oilers Deal Collapses|publisher=Orlando Sentinel|date =November 5, 1997}}</ref>

From 1997 until early 2007, Alexander was the owner of the WNBA's Houston Comets. The Comets won the league's first 4 WNBA championships from 1997 to 2000. He sold the team to Hilton Koch in January 2007, one year before The Comets folded.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0229212020081203 WNBA disbands women's pro basketball team in Houston], Reuters.com. Accessed June 4, 2024.</ref>

Leslie Alexander launched a joint-venture with the Chinese businessman Kenneth Huang (founder of Sportscorp in China), which invests in many companies in Asia.<ref>Tania Branigan, [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/aug/02/kenneth-huang-liverpool-buyout-profile Kenneth Huang's rise from badminton ace to prospective Liverpool owner], Theguardian.com, August 2, 2010. Accessed April 21, 2019.</ref> In 2006, a group of investors led by Kenneth Huang bought a minority share in the Rockets from Leslie Alexander.<ref>David Barboza, Michael S. Schmidt, [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/26/sports/basketball/26nba.html Cavaliers Sell a Stake to Chinese Investors], nytimes.com, May 25, 2009. Accessed April 21, 2019.</ref>

On July 17, 2017, it was announced that the Rockets were for sale.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/2017/7/17/15985466/houston-rockets-sale-team-president-owner|title = Houston Rockets are for sale, team president announces|date = July 17, 2017}}</ref> On September 5, 2017, he reached an agreement to sell the Rockets to fellow Texas businessman Tilman Fertitta, pending league approval, for a worldwide professional sports record of $2.2 billion.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/20588603/tilman-fertitta-agrees-purchase-houston-rockets-record-price-22-billion|title=Source: Fertitta buys Rockets for record $2.2B|work=ESPN.com|access-date=2017-09-05}}</ref> Before his departure, Alexander gave the Rockets' General Manager, Daryl Morey, a new contract and extended player James Harden's contract with a record-breaking $228 million, 4-year deal that will last until the end of the 2022-23 NBA season.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2017/07/08/james-harden-rockets-extension-worth-nba-richest/462221001/|title=James Harden agrees to extension worth $228 million, NBA's richest|work=USA TODAY|access-date=2018-07-13|language=en}}</ref> He also retained the two Larry O'Brien Championship Trophies won by the team in 1993–94 and 1994–95 as mementos of his ownership, and the team commissioned replica trophy replacements for the team upon its sale.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/Rockets-receive-replicas-of-championship-trophies-13246206.php|title=Rockets receive replicas of championship trophies|last=Feigen|first=Jonathan|date=20 September 2018|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=21 September 2018}}</ref>

==Real estate== He owns a vineyard on Long Island and the related company Leslie Wine, launched in 2008. He also has a residence in Houston.<ref name="WNBA bio">[http://www.nba.com/rockets/community/Leslie_Alexander_Biography-307773-822.html Rockets: Leslie Alexander Biography], nba.com. Accessed June 4, 2024.</ref>

In March 2019, he put up for sale a $3.7 million French manor-style house in Houston.<ref>Jack Flemming, [https://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hotprop-leslie-alexander-houston-20190313-story.html Former Rockets owner Leslie Alexander seeks $3.7 million for Houston home], Latimes.com, March 13, 2019. Accessed April 21, 2019.</ref>

==Personal life== Alexander divorced his wife Nanci (née Shnapier) in 2003, paying a $150 million settlement.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Service|first=Cox News|date=2006-09-29|title=Rockets owner's 2003 divorce ordered unsealed|url=https://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/article/Rockets-owner-s-2003-divorce-ordered-unsealed-1854822.php|access-date=2020-09-14|website=Houston Chronicle|language=en-US}}</ref> They have one child and two grandchildren.

Alexander was raised Jewish but identifies as Agnostic.<ref>{{cite web|title=The 400 Richest Americans: #322 Leslie Alexander|url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/54/biz_06rich400_Leslie-Alexander_7XL9.html|work=Forbes.com|access-date=March 30, 2011}}</ref> He is a supporter of the Democratic Party and has donated $15,000 in the past 20 years to Democratic candidates.<ref>Christopher Reina, [http://basketball.realgm.com/article/216307 Real GM: "Follow The Money: Political Contributions Of NBA Owners"], November 3, 2011.</ref> He purchased the duplex penthouse of 18 Gramercy Park in 2012, reportedly for $42 million.<ref name="havingthebestfallever">{{cite news|title=18 Gramercy Park Is Having the Best Fall Ever |first=Kim |last=Velsey |url=http://observer.com/2012/10/18-gramercy-park-is-having-an-awesome-fall/ |access-date=October 21, 2015|newspaper=The New York Observer |date=October 22, 2012}}</ref>

''Forbes'' estimated Alexander's net worth was approximately $1.9 billion in 2024, placing him at #1710 on the magazine's list of richest people in the United States.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Leslie Alexander |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/leslie-alexander/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=Forbes}}</ref>

On March 27, 2017, Alexander pledged $10 million to 20 Houston charities, including the Houston Area Women's Center, Houston Public Library Foundation, Healthcare for the Homeless – Houston, and Citizens for Animal Protection.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/Rockets-Leslie-Alexander-charities-4-million-11030731.php|title=Rockets' Leslie Alexander names charities that will receive parts of $10 million donation|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2017-08-29}}</ref> He also pledged $10 million in relief efforts in wake of Hurricane Harvey, which ravaged the city in August 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/20497020/houston-rockets-owner-leslie-alexander-ups-donation-10-million-hurricane-harvey-relief-efforts|title=Rockets owner reportedly ups aid as help grows|work=ESPN.com|access-date=2017-11-09}}</ref>

Alexander is a supporter of the Hampton Bays center which aims to rescue animals.<ref>Tim Gannon, [https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2019/03/92516/wildlife-rescue-center-seeks-expansion-into-aquebogue/ Wildlife Rescue Center seeks expansion into Aquebogue], Timesreview.com, March 23, 2019. Accessed April 21, 2019.</ref><ref>[http://www.27east.com/news/article.cfm/East-End/587768/Hampton-Bays-Wildlife-Center-Looks-To-Expand-To-Aquebogue Hampton Bays Wildlife Center Looks To Expand To Aquebogue], 27east.com, March 29, 2019. Accessed April 21, 2019.</ref>

In 1998, he and his now ex-wife, Nanci Shnapier, were recognized as the largest individual donors to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).<ref>[https://www.consumerfreedom.com/2009/10/4018-meet-the-animal-rights-movements-rich-aunt/ Meet the Animal Rights Movement's Rich Aunt], consumerfreedom.com, October 22, 2009. Accessed April 21, 2019.</ref> He also supports a horse sanctuary in Middleburg, Virginia.<ref name=":1" />

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

{{s-start}} {{s-sports}} {{s-bef|before=Charlie Thomas}} {{s-ttl|title=Houston Rockets principal owner|years=1993–2017}} {{s-aft|after=Tilman Fertitta}} {{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alexander, Leslie}} Category:1943 births Category:Living people Category:Businesspeople from Manhattan Category:Lawyers from Manhattan Category:American agnostics Category:American billionaires Category:American derivatives traders Category:American financial company founders Category:American financiers Category:American investors Category:California lawyers Category:Houston Comets owners Category:Houston Rockets owners Category:Jewish American activists Category:Jewish agnostics Category:Jewish American basketball people Category:NBA executives Category:New York University College of Arts & Science alumni Category:Thomas Jefferson School of Law alumni Category:WNBA executives Category:Jews from New York City Category:Jewish American sports executives and administrators