Michael Rubin, is an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, and a social justice advocate. He has built several successful multibillion-dollar companies, including Fanatics, a leading global sports platform. He serves as the Founder and CEO of Fanatics.
Born and raised in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania, Michael became a criminal justice reform advocate through his close personal friendship with musician and entrepreneur, Meek Mill. In 2017, Michael attended a hearing for Meek that resulted from a technical violation of Meek’s protracted, decade-long probation. After writing a letter to the judge on Meek’s behalf and hearing Meek’s probation officer and the Assistant District Attorney both recommend no prison time, Michael was shocked to witness the judge sentence Meek to two to four years in state prison. The event was life-changing for both men. Michael immediately joined forces with Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter and Roc Nation to lead the fight in overturning Meek’s sentence with the #FreeMeek movement.
During this process, Michael and Meek realized that problems in the criminal justice system extend well beyond this case. They committed to stand with the millions of men and women unjustly ensnared in the broken criminal justice system by launching REFORM Alliance – a non-profit dedicated to transforming the system by changing probation and parole laws, policies, and practices that contribute to trapping people in the system.
Since its founding in 2019, REFORM Alliance has become a leading authority on one of the most critical workforce and public safety issues of our time. Michael sits on the organization’s board of directors alongside Meek, Carter, Desiree Perez, Robert F. Smith, Robert Kraft, and Clara Wu Tsai, among others. To date, REFORM has passed 23 bipartisan laws in 12 states, impacting more than 850,000 people.
In 2023 and 2025, Michael helped REFORM host its Casino Night & Galas, raising over $44 million combined and drawing an A-list crowds, including Travis Scott, Kim Kardashian, Tom Brady, Kevin Hart, Matthew McConaughey, and more. All proceeds from the gala directly benefit REFORM’s continued work to provide opportunity, support re-entry, and reduce recidivism for millions of Americans impacted by the system.
With REFORM, Michael has been involved with efforts to shape the future of social justice, including the Gen Z Day of Action. During the first Gen Z Day of Action in 2023, Michael and Kim Kardashian brought together a group of young leaders, creators, and people to launch the Future Shapers Advisory Council and reshape the conversation around supervision reform. He’s also leveraged his connection in the sports world to create events that connect youth who have been adversely affected by the criminal justice system with teams like the Philadelphia Eagles.
Philanthropy & Awards
Michael’s philanthropic spirit extends across multiple areas of his life. He is an active board member of the Fanatics Foundation™ and played an instrumental role in establishing Fanatics as Make-A-Wish America’s first-ever Official Sports Partner in 2023. The sports platform leverages its vast network of connections with athletes and sports properties to create once-in-a-lifetime experiences for Wish Kids. Fanatics supports more than 400 wishes annually.
As part of Fanatics’ 2023 Global Volunteer Day, Michael originated the one-time Merch Madness event. He brought together an extensive roster of celebrities and athletes to surprise underprivileged children and families nationwide, giving away approximately $20 million of licensed apparel during the event. Fanatics’ annual volunteer day brings together thousands of employees across the world to build homes, plant gardens, organize goods and merchandise, mentor students, and more.
In 2025, Michael spearheaded Fanatics’ LA Strong merchandise collection. Fanatics created the line in partnership with 18 Los Angeles-based sports teams and organizations to lend support in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires that affected the city. Fanatics and the participating teams and organizations donated 100% of LA Strong apparel proceeds to the LA Fire Department Foundation and the American Red Cross. Fanatics also donated over $3 million of merchandise to impacted residents of Los Angeles.
Michael is also the creator of the ALL IN Challenge, one of the largest digital fundraisers ever, raising over $60 million to feed those most in need. The fundraiser enlisted hundreds of the biggest celebrities, athletes, entertainers, sports leagues, teams, and corporations to donate incredible prized possessions or create once-in-a-lifetime experiences that were available as online auctions or sweepstakes.
As one of the most influential people in sports business, Michael is consistently recognized for his transformational leadership. He was honored by Billboard on its 2025 and 2026 “Sports & Music Power Players” list and Boardroom’s “The List: 50 Names in the Boardroom” for 2025. He also topped the “Executives and Dealmakers” category of Sports Illustrated’s Power List of ”The 50 Most Influential Figures in Sports” in 2024. Michael was named “Sports Business Person of the Year” by The Athletic/New York Times and “Sports Executive of the Year” by Sports Business Journal in 2022.
Career
Since its founding, Michael has grown Fanatics into the full-scale, global sports platform it is today. Under his leadership, Fanatics continues to revolutionize the licensed merchandise industry by expanding its scope of services through massive brand collaborations and streamlined technology. As a result, the platform’s offerings encompass the total sports fan experience, spanning commerce, collectibles, trading cards, live events, sports betting, and prediction markets. Michael has also created a joint venture with OBB Media to create next-generation sports content through Fanatics Studios.
He was the Founder and CEO of GSI Commerce, which eBay purchased for $2.4 billion in 2011. Michael is also a former partner of the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Devils.