NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin, who retired as a limited partner in the 76ers ownership last year, is set to appear as a guest shark on ABC's 15th season of 'Shark Tank'.
Michael will join the regular cast, including Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, and Kevin O'Leary.
As the creator of the licensed merchandising firm valued at $31 billion in 2022, Rubin adds a unique perspective to the show.
On an episode of 'Undercover Boss,' Michael Rubin, the CEO of GSI Commerce, went undercover at the firm where he began as a teenager. GSI Commerce is known for shipping online goods and handling customer care for various large American merchants. Michael believes that many online buyers have utilized his services without even realizing it.
On 'Undercover Boss,' Michael immersed himself in the daily tasks alongside his staff—packing boxes, sealing and labeling parcels, and handling customer calls. Michael found it challenging to keep up with his coworkers while preparing packages for shipping. While working undercover at his own firm, he unintentionally hurts one of his colleagues and is, therefore, fired from one of his positions.
His supervisor conveyed to him that due to his poor pace in sealing boxes and challenges in correctly applying shipping labels, his skills were no longer needed. This experience provided Michael with insights into both the strengths and weaknesses of his workforce during his undercover mission.
Another incident from which Michael was deeply touched - a devoted mom who worked tirelessly seven days a week to support her child's football team. He generously donated $5,000 worth of equipment to the team, showing his appreciation for her dedication.
On the other end of the spectrum, he came across an employee's unpleasant behavior toward a client over the phone who was groaning about receiving broken products. Michael, who was listening in on the phone discussion, was taken aback by her demeanor. Later in the episode, it was revealed that, despite being "retrained," she was no longer employed by the organization.
Who owns Fanatics?
Michael is a businessman and philanthropist who was born on July 21, 1972, and raised in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania, where his entrepreneurial spirit initially emerged. He is a well-known social justice activist, philanthropist, and internet entrepreneur who has founded many multibillion-dollar direct-to-consumer businesses.
Michael Rubin is the CEO of Fanatics, a global digital sports platform that is reimagining the fan experience across many different businesses, including licensed merchandise, physical and digital trading cards and collectibles, sports betting, and gaming.
Fanatics has been recognized for its innovative approach to the licensed sports industry with multiple awards, including Business Model of the Decade (2010–2019) from Sports Business Journal and Sports Business of the Year by Yahoo! Finance, and one of Fast Company's 50 Most Innovative Companies in the World.
With the assistance of his father, he opened a ski store in Pennsylvania at the age of 14, using the money he received at his bar mitzvah. Afterward, he continued his education at Villanova University but left after just one semester.
How do Fanatics make money?
Fanatics has developed swiftly and is currently valued at $27 billion, according to the corporation. This e-commerce enterprise directly sells official sports merchandise to fans and is venturing into online sports betting as investors invest, leading to discussions about a potential IPO.
How much money is 'Shark Tank's Michael Rubin worth?
The businessman's estimated net worth is $11.4 billion, according to Forbes. Michael is ranked 151st on Forbes World's Billionaires List as of 2023.
The self-made billionaire was also listed in the Bloomberg Billionaires Index and Forbes 400: The Richest People in America list for 2022.
What businesses does 'Shark Tank's Michael Rubin own?
Michael Rubin was named the Sports Business Journal “Executive of the Year” in 2022 and is a noted internet entrepreneur at a prominent sports apparel company. Additionally, he founded Global Sports Incorporated in 1998, later rebranded as GSI Commerce, an e-commerce firm.
In 2011, he successfully sold GSI Commerce to eBay for $2.4 billion. As part of this deal, he acquired majority ownership of three assets eBay didn't retain: Fanatics, Rue La La, and ShopRunner, for which he paid $500 million, as per Forbes.
In 2020, Michael sold ShopRunner to FedEx for an unknown amount. He has also enjoyed a steak at various sports ventures, including the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Devils. Furthermore, his thriving success has made him a socialite. Every Fourth of July, he throws an elaborate star-studded bash, and 2023 was no exception.
On July 4, 2023, the millionaire businessman invited some of the sports and entertainment's top personalities to his spectacular $50 million Hamptons estate. Stars including Tom Brady, Kim Kardashian, and Jay-Z were among the attendees.
Is 'Shark Tank's Michael Rubin married?
Michael Rubin's current girlfriend is Camille Fishel, a model. While various media outlets have referred to Camille as Michael's wife, however, the couple has never confirmed their marital status. They have two daughters together: Romi, whom they adopted in 2020, and Gema, born two years later.
Michael was previously married to Meegan Rubin before his romance with model Camille. The former couple divorced in 2011, and they had a daughter named Kylie.
Former minority owner of the Sixers, Michael Rubin, will join the regular panel on 'Shark Tank,' which includes Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, and others. Tune in to ABC on October 11 to catch a new episode featuring Michael's debut on 'Shark Tank' Season 15.
