Living the dream | News

The Rochester Razor Sharks have a new co-owner and CEO and he also plays on the team.

He says he's living out a life-long dream of playing professional basketball and helping the team succeed financially.

Most athletes pursue their dreams of playing the game they love first, then they choose a career. One member of the Rochester Razor Sharks did it the opposite way and it seems to be paying off.

At 33, Adam House is the only player on the Rochester Razor Sharks without a basketball resume -- a good high school player who left college ball after his freshman year to create a start up business. “I started a business out of my apartment with a couple of hundred bucks and turned it into millions and sold it in 2007.”

He did it a second time, starting a mobile web company, sold that and decided at 33, it was time to pursue his real dream. “After being an entrepreneur for 14 years, I come up with 100 ideas a day but this one seemed to stick it was always a love of mine to play basketball.”

House traveled to a basketball combine in Ohio where 35 men looking for teams were trying out. Razor Sharks Head Coach Rod Baker selected four – House was one of them.

Baker saw a scrappy guy who had good basketball sense and did the most with his talent for his size.

House said, “I was actually trying to hide my entrepreneurial background and just make the team as a basketball player. It came out after spending time with coach.”

Baker said, “He can't buy minutes from me -- they are not for sale. He'll get minutes through practice and the situation in the game.”

Baker is also part owner and says House may not get much playing time but his business sense can help elevate the team.

House is not only making a physical investment but a financial one. He is part owner and CEO and second string. He said, “I'm closer to Mark Cuban except I can play the game.”

As for how his teammates are reacting to having their owner on the court. House said, “They haven't -- they just found out this morning so we'll find out in the locker room.”

House may have a tough time proving himself on the court. He hasn't played many minutes but ask him what his biggest personal success is after his wife and three boys and he'll tell you it’s making the premier basketball league. If he can elevate the franchise financially -- that's a bonus. “I went down that path and I wanted it to be something I achieved. Now I can do both things.”

House has already gotten to work. He says he's landed two major sponsorships for the team expected to be announced next week.

The Razor Sharks hit the road for two games -- Friday against Dayton and Saturday versus Lake Michigan.

The team returns home Monday for a president's day game at 7:05 at the Blue Cross Arena.