Lafayette Hill native Michael Rubin started his first business at 13 years old, using his Bar Mitzvah money to open a ski store. Today, he runs one of the most valuable sports companies in the world.
Rubin, the CEO of Fanatics, was named to Time’s inaugural TIME100 Sports list of the 100 Most Influential People in Sports. The recognition reflects just how far his company’s reach now extends.
What began as a major player in licensed sports apparel has grown into a sports empire with more than 22,000 employees, 80 offices globally, and roughly $13 billion in expected revenue in 2026.
Building the Business Behind Modern Fandom
For Rubin, the path to influence has not come from owning a team or playing on the field. It has come from building the business behind modern fandom.
Fans may know Fanatics from buying a jersey or team hoodie. But under Rubin, the company has moved deeper into the daily experience of sports culture.
It now has a presence in what fans wear, what they collect, how they wager, what content they consume, and even how they gather in person.
Earlier this year, Fanatics launched Fanatics Studios, a new media and entertainment venture producing feature films, documentaries, and live events at the intersection of sports and culture.
It is the latest sign that Rubin is not content to stop at merchandise.
A Festival Built for the Modern Fan
That live experience piece has become especially important. In 2024, Rubin launched Fanatics Fest, a sports-centered answer to Comic-Con.
The event drew more than 125,000 people to the Javits Center in Manhattan in 2025. This summer’s version should draw 200,000 fans to New York City. Tom Brady, Aaron Judge, Jay-Z, and Travis Scott are among the major names attached.
The growth from one year to the next tells the story on its own.
Where Sports Is Headed
The appeal is clear: Rubin has helped turn sports fandom into something bigger than games and standings.
It is now entertainment, celebrity, fashion, collecting, betting, and live community all rolled together.
That is why Rubin’s influence matters. The Montgomery County native has positioned Fanatics at the intersection of leagues, athletes, entertainers, brands, and everyday fans.
In doing so, he became one of the clearest examples of where professional sports is headed: not just toward bigger business, but toward a broader culture built around the fan experience.
To learn more about Michael Rubin and the rest of the 100 Most Influential People in Sports, visit Time.
