Michael Rubin Parents: Meet Ken Rubin & Paulette Rubin

Michael Rubin, the renowned American businessman and philanthropist, owes his success to the support and upbringing provided by his parents, Paulette Rubin and Ken Rubin. Michael was born on July 21, 1972, in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania, and was raised in the same town.

From a young age, Michael demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit and ambition. At the age of 12, he opened a ski-tuning business in his parents’ basement, showcasing his drive and determination. Two years later, with the help of a lease signed by his father and $2,500 in bar mitzvah gifts as seed money, he established Mike’s Ski and Sport, a formal ski shop located in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

Despite encountering financial difficulties and accumulating debts of approximately $120,000 by the age of 16, Michael’s father stepped in to support him. Ken Rubin provided a $37,000 loan, with the condition that Michael enroll in college. This financial assistance enabled Michael to reach a settlement with his creditors and continue running his expanding ski business, which eventually comprised five shops.

Michael briefly attended Villanova University, but his entrepreneurial instincts led him to leave after one semester. He seized an opportunity to make a significant profit by purchasing overstock equipment valued at $200,000 for just $17,000. He then resold the equipment for $75,000, solidifying his prowess as a savvy businessman.

Building on his success in the retail industry, Michael went on to create KPR Sports, an athletic equipment closeout business named after his parents. The company bought and sold overstock name-brand products, leading to remarkable growth. By the time Michael turned 21 in 1993, KPR Sports generated annual revenues of $1 million, which increased to $50 million by 1995.

Throughout his career, Michael Rubin has made strategic moves and investments, acquiring stakes in various companies and creating successful ventures. Notably, he sold GSI Commerce, a clothing and shipping business he founded, to eBay for $2.4 billion in 2011, earning a profit of $150 million. He repurchased Shop Runner, Rue La La, and Fanatics, Inc., further cementing his position as a prominent figure in the retail industry.

As the CEO of Fanatics, Michael Rubin has forged partnerships with over 300 professional sports organizations, leagues, and teams. These collaborations, including agreements with Nike, the National Football League, and Major League Baseball, have granted Fanatics exclusive rights to design, produce, and sell fan gear for these prominent sports entities.

Beyond his business accomplishments, Michael Rubin has been recognized for his entrepreneurial spirit and influence. He has received numerous accolades, including being listed among Forbes’ “20 Most Powerful CEOs 40 and Under” in 2011 and the Sports Business Journal’s “Most Influential Person in Sports Business” in 2021. His dedication to entrepreneurship and inspiring future generations has been honored by organizations such as the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) and the Philadelphia Visionary Gala.

The foundation laid by his parents, Paulette and Ken Rubin, played a significant role in shaping Michael Rubin’s entrepreneurial journey. Their support and encouragement nurtured his passion for business and provided him with the foundation to achieve remarkable success.