Leslie Alexander
Encyclopedia
Leslie Lee Alexander is a former stock trader
from New Jersey who owns the National Basketball Association
(NBA) team Houston Rockets
. He started trading options and bonds for a Wall Street firm before he broke off to form his own investment company, The Alexander Group, in 1980. He also owns a 20% stake in First Marblehead, a private student loan company.
with a bachelor's degree in economics in 1965 and later earned his juris doctor from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law
. From 1978 to 2009, Alexander was a member of the California State Bar. Alexander took control of the Houston Rockets in July 1993. A new stadium, the Toyota Center
, was opened in 2003. He was named the best owner in the NBA by Forbes
in 2008. He also owns a vineyard in Long Island
and the related company Leslie Wine, launched in 2008.
In 1998, Alexander attempted to purchase and relocate the National Hockey League's storied Edmonton Oilers
franchise, but a grassroots bid by local businessmen successfully prevented the sale.
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. The Comets folded a year later.
In 2006 it was revealed that Alexander was amongst the 400 richest people in the USA, being valued at around $1.2 billion.
.
He divorced from his wife in 2003.
Stock trader
A stock trader or a stock investor is an individual or firm who buys and sells stocks in the financial markets. Many stock traders will trade bonds as well...
from New Jersey who owns the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
(NBA) team Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
. He started trading options and bonds for a Wall Street firm before he broke off to form his own investment company, The Alexander Group, in 1980. He also owns a 20% stake in First Marblehead, a private student loan company.
Business career
Alexander graduated from New York UniversityNew York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
with a bachelor's degree in economics in 1965 and later earned his juris doctor from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law
Thomas Jefferson School of Law
Thomas Jefferson School of Law, or TJSL, is an independent law school in San Diego, California. It offers a Juris Doctor, and three Master of Laws programs, including one that is exclusively online, as well as a combined J.D./M.B.A. with San Diego State University...
. From 1978 to 2009, Alexander was a member of the California State Bar. Alexander took control of the Houston Rockets in July 1993. A new stadium, the Toyota Center
Toyota Center (Houston)
The Toyota Center is an indoor arena located in downtown Houston, Texas. It is named after the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. The arena is home to the Rockets of the National Basketball Association, the principal owners of the building, and the Aeros of the American Hockey League.Rockets...
, was opened in 2003. He was named the best owner in the NBA by Forbes
Forbes
Forbes is an American publishing and media company. Its flagship publication, the Forbes magazine, is published biweekly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune, which is also published biweekly, and Business Week...
in 2008. He also owns a vineyard in Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
and the related company Leslie Wine, launched in 2008.
In 1998, Alexander attempted to purchase and relocate the National Hockey League's storied Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
franchise, but a grassroots bid by local businessmen successfully prevented the sale.
From 1997 until early 2007, Alexander was the owner of the WNBA's Houston Comets
Houston Comets
The Houston Comets were a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Houston, Texas, United States. Formed in 1997, the team was one of the best original eight WNBA teams and won the first four championships of the league's existence. The Comets were the first dynasty of the WNBA and...
. The Comets won the league's first 4 WNBA championships from 1997 to 2000. He sold the team to Hilton Koch
Hilton Koch
Hilton Koch is a furniture dealer and store owner in Houston Texas at Hilton Furniture. He was the owner of the former Houston Comets of the WNBA before they folded.His catch phrase is "Oohhhhh, That's a Fact Jack"....
in January 2007. The Comets folded a year later.
In 2006 it was revealed that Alexander was amongst the 400 richest people in the USA, being valued at around $1.2 billion.
Personal life
Alexander is a vegetarian and an advocate for animal rightsAnimal rights
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
.
He divorced from his wife in 2003.