Michael Rubin is an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and social justice advocate who is best known for founding Fanatics, a leading global sports platform dedicated to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience, which spans officially licensed merchandise, trading cards and collectibles, sports betting, prediction markets, and more. Beyond Fanatics, Michael has built many successful multibillion-dollar businesses, including GSI Commerce, which he sold to eBay in 2011 for $2.4 billion. 

Michael plays an integral role as a Director of the Fanatics Foundation™ board, where he leads efforts that prioritize long-term, meaningful impact in global communities where Fanatics employees live, work, and play. Michael’s leadership was key in forging Fanatics’ official partnership with Make-A-Wish, enabling the company to leverage its extensive network of sports partners and athlete relationships to create life-changing experiences for wish kids. Since the start of the partnership in 2023, Fanatics and Make-A-Wish have granted over 1,200 wishes, bringing joy to children and families through unforgettable sports-related experiences. Through Fanatics and the Fanatics Foundation™, Michael also initiated the ALL IN CHALLENGE, which raised $60 million for Feeding America, Meals on Wheels America, World Central Kitchen, and No Kid Hungry.

involvement with philanthropy

Michael’s involvement with philanthropy spans social justice, criminal justice reform, disaster relief and aid, support for kids and families with life-threatening illnesses, and sustainability. His involvement with criminal justice reform began with the founding of REFORM Alliance, which he co-founded and now sits on the organization’s Board of Directors. The organization is committed to overhauling and advancing the U.S. criminal justice system, with a focus on addressing outdated probation policies that disproportionately affect underserved populations. Since its founding, REFORM has passed 23 bipartisan laws in 12 states, impacting more than 850,000 people. Through REFORM, Michael has also helped shape social justice through the Gen Z Day of Action, which brings together young leaders, creators, and others to shape the conversation around supervision reform. 

Additionally, Michael directed charitable efforts toward communities affected by the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires with the "LA Strong" merchandise campaign. He also conceptualized the Fanatics Merch Madness event, which took place during the Fanatics 2023 Global Volunteer Day. In one day, more than 300,000 articles of licensed apparel valued at $20 million were donated to 100,000 adolescents and their family members across the country. Since then, Global Volunteer Day has continued to grow, with thousands of Fanatics employees donating their time to worthy causes. 

As a Philadelphia native, Michael, alongside rapper Meek Mill and comedian Kevin Hart, also pledged over $20 million in donations to Philadelphia schools. The funds have been used to create and support scholarships for deserving students.

honors and recognition

‍Michael is known across the sports and media sectors for his innovative business acumen, influence on the world of sports fandom, frequent media appearances, and work in philanthropic and criminal justice reform. In 2026, TIME100 named him one of the 100 Most Influential People in Sports. He was also featured in 2025 and 2026 on Billboard’s Sports and Music Power Players list and, in 2024, was one of Sports Illustrated’s 50 Most Influential Figures in Sports. 

‍In 2022, Sports Business Journal named him Sports Executive of the Year, the same year The Athletic/New York Times honored him as the Sports Business Person of the Year. Earlier, Bleacher Report included Michael on its 2018 “POWER 50” list of the most influential individuals in sports.

‍To learn more about Michael’s professional and philanthropic pursuits, follow him on X, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.