Michael Gary Rubin (born July 21, 1972) is an American businessman and the founder and CEO of Fanatics, a global digital sports platform offering licensed sports merchandise, trading cards, sports betting, and live commerce. He previously founded GSI Commerce, sold to eBay in 2011 for $2.4 billion.
Rubin was a partner of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils until 2022. He is co-chair of REFORM Alliance, launched in 2019 with Jay-Z, Meek Mill, Robert Kraft, and Daniel S. Loeb.
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Mike Rubin Net Worth
Michael Rubin has a net worth of $10 billion. He has been interviewed or quoted in top publications such as Forbes, Fast Company, Vanity Fair, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Fortune, Entrepreneur, People Magazine, and Sports Illustrated.
Rubin appeared on popular podcasts including On Purpose with Jay Shetty, The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Pat McAfee Show, and Pardon My Take. He has also been featured on Dateline NBC, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, CNN, CNBC, and ESPN. In 2010, Rubin appeared on Undercover Boss, giving an employee $10,000 after working undercover at GSI Commerce.
Early life
Michael Gary Rubin was born on July 21, 1972, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Paulette (a psychiatrist) and Ken Rubin (a veterinarian), and raised in a Jewish family. At age 12, he launched a ski-tuning shop in Lafayette Hill, then opened Mike’s Ski and Sport at 14 using $2,500 in bar mitzvah gifts.
He attended Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School and briefly Villanova University. After buying $200,000 in overstock equipment with $17,000, he resold it for $75,000, prompting him to leave college and focus on business.
Career
Using proceeds from his ski shop sale, Michael Rubin founded KPR Sports in 1993, hitting $50 million in sales by 1995. He later bought 40% of Rykä and launched Global Sports, which became GSI Commerce.
In 2011, he sold it to eBay for $2.4 billion, then reacquired Fanatics, Rue La La, and ShopRunner. As Fanatics CEO, Rubin expanded into trading cards, sports betting, NFTs, and launched the Fanatics sportsbook with Jay-Z. Fanatics was valued at $31 billion by 2022. Fanatics Fest debuted in 2024 in New York City.
Personal life
Michael Rubin splits his time between the Philadelphia area, Los Angeles, and New York City, where he bought a $43.5 million penthouse in 2018. He is divorced from Meegan Spector, with whom he has one daughter, and has two daughters with partner Camille Fishel. A
former partner of Nicole Lapin, Rubin was valued at $11.5 billion in August 2024. He has appeared on the Forbes 400, World’s Billionaires, and Bloomberg Billionaires Index, and earned top honors from Sports Business Journal, Sports Illustrated, and Billboard.
How much of Fanatics does Rubin own?
Michael Rubin owns approximately 33% of Fanatics, a stake that underscores his significant influence and investment in the company’s growth and success.
Conclusion
Michael G. Rubin’s journey from a young entrepreneur to a billionaire business magnate is a story of relentless pursuit of innovation and strategic foresight. His impact on the e-commerce and sports merchandise industry is undeniable, and his philanthropic efforts reflect his commitment to societal betterment. Rubin’s legacy is a blend of business acumen and a deep sense of responsibility towards community and social justice.
FAQs about Mike Rubin
- What led Mike Rubin to start Fanatics?
- Rubin’s vision to revolutionize the sports merchandise industry with a focus on fan engagement and e-commerce innovation led to the founding of Fanatics.
- Has Mike Rubin received any awards for his entrepreneurial efforts?
- While specific awards are not mentioned, Rubin’s inclusion in prestigious lists such as the Forbes 400 and Bloomberg Billionaires Index speaks volumes about his recognition in the business world.
- What philanthropic causes is Mike Rubin involved in?
- Rubin is co-chair of the REFORM Alliance, focusing on criminal justice reform. He also initiated the ALL IN Challenge to combat food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- What future ventures does Mike Rubin plan for Fanatics?
- Rubin aims to expand Fanatics into new sports verticals, including NFTs, sports betting, trading cards, and digital collectibles, positioning the company as a global digital sports platform.
- How does Mike Rubin contribute to the sports community beyond Fanatics?
- Beyond Fanatics, Rubin’s involvement in sports includes his previous ownership stakes in the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, reflecting his deep engagement with the sports community at multiple levels.
