Hardware Podcasts

Fanatics: Michael Rubin

How I Built This · 27 Jan 2025 · 56m

What this episode covers

Michael Rubin, founder and CEO of Fanatics, recounts his journey from a struggling student with undiagnosed ADD to building a $25 billion sports commerce and betting empire. He details his early ventures in ski tuning and closeout footwear, the strategic pivot to e-commerce via GSI Commerce, and the acquisition of Fanatics to vertically integrate sports licensing. Rubin discusses the company's recent challenges with product design, specifically the backlash over Nike jerseys and MLB uniforms, and his personal battle with anxiety and sleep deprivation.

Most relevant to

companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Fanatics, GSI Commerce, Nike, Major League Baseball, eBay, SoftBank, Amazon, DraftKings, FanDuel, Mitchell & Ness, Topps, Dick's Sporting Goods, Sports Authority, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Boskov's, Umbro, Continental Bank, Villanova, Ray Pinello Ski Shop

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