Nationality United States Residence 18 Gramercy Park Education New York University | Role Businessman Name Leslie (businessman) | |
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Full Name Leslie Lee Alexander Born 1944 (age 70–71) New Jersey, U.S. Alma mater B.A. New York UniversityJ.D. Thomas Jefferson School of Law Occupation Businessman, investor, lawyer Known for owner of the Houston Rockets Net worth $1.54 billion (September 2015) Spouse(s) Nanci Shnapier Alexander (divorced) Similar Jeremy Lin, Daryl Morey, Bill Ackman | ||
Leslie L. Alexander (born 1944) is an American attorney, businessman and financier. He is a former bond trader from New Jersey. He formerly owned the National Basketball Association (NBA) team Houston Rockets.
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Early life
Leslie L. Alexander was born in 1944, to a Jewish family in New Jersey. In 1965, he graduated from New York University with a bachelor's degree in economics and later earned his juris doctor from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law.
Career
Alexander began his career as an attorney. From 1978 to 2009, he was a member of the California State Bar. 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. He also owns an 18.5% stake in First Marblehead, a private student loan company.
In 2008, Alexander was listed by Forbes magazine as the best owner in the NBA.
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.
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.
On July 17, 2017, it was announced that the Rockets were for sale. On September 5, 2017, he reached an agree to sell the Rockets to fellow Texas businessman Tilman Fertitta, pending league approval, for a worldwide professional sports record of $2.2 billion.
Personal life
Alexander divorced his wife Nanci (née Shnapier) in 2003, paying a $150 million settlement. They have one child and two grandchildren.
He owns a vineyard on Long Island and the related company Leslie Wine, launched in 2008. He also has a residence in Houston.
Alexander was raised Jewish, and now identifies as Agnostic. He is a vegetarian and an advocate of animal rights. He is a supporter of the Democratic Party and has donated $15,000 in the past 20 years to Democratic candidates. He purchased the duplex penthouse of 18 Gramercy Park in 2012, reportedly for $42 million.
Alexander's net worth is an estimated $1.54 billion as of Q1-2016, placing him at #401 on the list of richest people in the United States.
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. He also pledged $10 million in relief efforts in wake of Hurricane Harvey, which ravaged the city in August 2017.