Fanatics: Michael Rubin

In this episode of 'How I Built This,' Guy Raz interviews Michael Rubin, the founder of Fanatics, a major sports merchandise company. Rubin started his entrepreneurial journey at just eight years old, shoveling snow and managing his first ski tuning shop at twelve. By age fifteen, he had multiple businesses and was making substantial profits, showcasing his natural talent for business despite struggles in academics and athletics.

Rubin’s pivotal business moves included buying excess inventory from sports brands and eventually getting involved in e-commerce with GSI Commerce. Despite operating at a loss during tough times like the dot-com bubble burst, he seized opportunities to strengthen his business. Rubin discusses the acquisition of Fanatics and his vision to innovate sports merchandise sales toward a direct-to-consumer model, enhancing fan experiences and quick response to sports events.

The conversation also touches on Rubin's work ethic, the importance of relationships in business, and the sacrifices he's made for success. He emphasizes that while luck plays a role, hard work has defined his journey. As Fanatics has grown substantially in revenue, Rubin remains focused on continual improvement and being beloved by sports fans.