The Houston Rockets brass has been in trouble for speaking out on social issues before, particularly when GM Daryl Morey expressed support to Hong Kong protesters last year.

Still, team owner Tilman Fertitta claims that the Rockets will not remain silent amid the country-wide protests following the unjust killing of George Floyd.

Appearing on CNBC's Power Lunch on Tuesday, Fertitta bared that protesting “makes America great”.

“And remember, we got in trouble, my team, earlier in the year because we commented about something which was such a disappointment because that's what makes America great. And I just hate that we have to see the coverage of a few negative things when it's such a great issue to be protesting about,” the Rockets boss said.

The 62-year-old billionaire also made it clear that he will support employees from all of his businesses who wish to speak out about the Black Lives Matter movement. This courtesy, of course, extends to members of the Rockets organization.

“First off, speaking up of an issue in America and speaking up when an issue that's somewhere else in the world are two different matters,” he said. “In America, we have free speech and we can do whatever we want to do and say whatever we want and not be penalized because of it. And that's why we all love this country so much,” Tilman Fertitta shared.

“I 100% believe that you should not be a political organization because we have 60,000 employees and 100 million customers and we don't always agree. It's usually 50% one way and 50 percent this way, but when it comes to an issue like this in America, you sure should speak out and say exactly what you want.”

The Rockets joined in solidarity with several NBA teams by releasing a public statement condemning racial injustice. They also joined #BlackoutTuesday in support of Floyd, who grew up in Houston.

https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/1267813672623063048