At age 12, Michael Rubin started tuning skis in the basement of his parents’ Lafayette Hill home. That led to his first major business venture, a ski shop in Conshohocken. Almost 40 years later, the Bryn Mawr resident is the founder and CEO of Fanatics, a rapidly evolving licensed sports merchandise brand. He’s also joined forces with rap superstars Meek Mill and Jay-Z to launch REFORM Alliance, which works with the criminal justice system to eradicate outdated parole and probation laws. And this past fall, he opened a Fanatics Sportsbook gaming and bar experience at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City.
MLT: Why did you choose Atlantic City for the new Fanatics Sportsbook location?
MR: Getting to do something in your hometown is pretty fun—it almost would be wrong not starting here. Philly’s in my roots, and I grew up gambling in Atlantic City, which makes it particularly special. New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are the three most important markets in the entire online gambling space.
MLT: What’s your favorite Main Line memory?
MR: I’m going to tell you something I shouldn’t admit: The gambling age was 18 when I was a kid, and I remember sneaking off when I was 12 years old into an Atlantic City casino—I think it was Caesars. I won $2,500. I called home from a payphone and said, “Mom, I’ve got great news. I just won $2,500.” She said, “How?” I said, “I’m in a casino in Atlantic City.” She goes, “You’re grounded. Get home now.”
MLT: What’s your advice for young entrepreneurs?
MR: Never give up. Outhustle everyone. Outwork everyone. To me, everything I’ve become has been through hard work. I’m always going to outwork my competition.
MLT: What keeps you motivated?
MR: I feel like we’re just getting started. I want to build the best digital sports platform in the world—one that’s one of the most important brands in the world and one of the most beloved by sports fans. We’ve got so much to do. We’ve got to keep making our products better and keep working with sports fans day in and day out.
MLT: When you were a kid tuning skis in your basement, did you ever think you’d end up here?
MR: I never thought about it, and I don’t think about what’s next. I just keeping going, going, going. The great thing about being a businessperson is you have no end to your career. I could do this for the rest of my life. I’m going to build Fanatics forever until I’m not on this planet. I’m honored and lucky to do it.
Visit fanaticsinc.com.
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