Early Life
Frank Joseph Fertitta III was born on February 24, 1962, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is the son of Frank Fertitta Jr. and Victoria Broussard Fertitta. He attended Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas and graduated from the University of Southern California in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts/Science degree from the business school.
Rise to Success
Fertitta's career began in 1985 when he became an officer and general manager at Station Casinos. He quickly advanced, becoming a director, executive vice president, and chief operating officer in 1986. In 1989, he was appointed president of Station Casinos, a position he held until July 2000. Since July 1992, he has served as the chief executive officer of Station Casinos. Fertitta, along with his brother Lorenzo, acquired the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2001 for $2 million, growing it into a global sports phenomenon. They sold their remaining stakes in the UFC in August 2017 for a $5 billion valuation.
Key Business Strategies
Fertitta is known for his strategic leadership in the casino and sports industries. Under his leadership, Station Casinos has expanded into a major casino company. His key strategy included recognizing the potential of the locals market in Las Vegas. He and his brother transformed the UFC into a mainstream success by developing reality television series and securing major broadcasting deals.
Philanthropy
Frank Fertitta III and his wife Jill are major donors to the Republican Party. They have contributed over $9.8 million between 2009 and 2020. In 2012, they made a major gift to the University of Southern California, resulting in the construction of a new building for the USC Marshall School of Business and the establishment of the Jill and Frank Fertitta Endowed Chair in Business. In 2016, they also pledged $7.5 million to NYU’s Stern School of Business for a scholarship for veterans.
