Experts: $2.2 bln is reasonable deal, won't affect Zhou Qi

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NBA team Houston Rockets was sold to billionaire Tilman J. Fertitta for 2.2 billion US dollars, setting a new record among all professional sports leagues in North America. This deal has raised a lot of questions about what will happen to the team's management, coaches and players. But the biggest concern among Chinese basketball fans: Will this have an effect on Chinese player Zhou Qi?

Famous Chinese basketball commentator Zhang Weiping, Chief Editor Su Qun of the newspaper "Basketball Pioneers" and Wang Meng from Tencent Sports, who used to follow Yao Ming in Houston as a journalist for years, shared their professional opinions over the record-high deal with Tencent Sports.

Is 2.2 billion US dollars a reasonable price for the new owner?

NBA has already become one of the most profitable sports leagues all over the world./AFP Photo

Su Qun believes that Fertitta deciding to buy the franchise all by himself proved that he considered it a good deal because the billionaire had said that he would work with others for the purchase if he did not see a proper price on the table. Moreover, NBA signed a broadcasting contract with ESPN and TNT in 2014 which's worth over 24 billion US dollars that has made the league a very tempting target for investors.

Will change of owner lead to any dramatic change to the formation of the team?

Wang Meng told Tencent Sports that players are getting paid whoever owns the team. New boss is no more than probable new impetus and has no intention to change those who are playing on the court in a short time. Besides, the current formation of the Houston Rockets has determined that their goal is to "Win Now," which will not change either for short term.

Fertitta does not know much about Chinese basketball, many Chinese fans worry that his taking over may not be good news for Zhou Qi who just became a member of the team. Is such worry necessary?

Chinese baskeball player Zhou Qi does not have to worry about his career in Houston with the new owner./AFP Photo

Zhang Weiping does not see new owner a threat to Zhou Qi. He told Tencent Sports that Zhou only needs to work hard, train more and play as required. If he is not good enough to play for the Houston Rockets, then he will not stay. But if Zhou is a qualified player, whoever owns the team does not affect his career.

Most of the new owners will purge the management after making the purchase. Will Houston Rockets go through that process?

Su told Tencent Sports that he sees only advantages in Fertitta's taking over. He has connections in the sports sector but lacks experience of calling the tune. His resume tells a good story of a successful business man, meaning that Fertitta will probably focus on business operations instead of direct management of team affairs.

NBA championship is still Houston's goal for the short term./AFP Photo

Wang said that the new boss will bring new members to the team, but mainly to the business team, not the franchise team. That means current General Manager Daryl Morey has nothing to worry about. Moreover, stability is the pre-condition to achieving the team's current goal: Win Now.