Justin R. Ishbia (born 1976/1977)[1] is an American billionaire businessman and private equity investor who is a founding partner of Shore Capital Partners. He is a part majority owner of the Phoenix Suns of the NBA and Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA along with his brother Mat Ishbia.[2] He is also a minority owner of Major League Soccer team Nashville SC.[3]

Justin Ishbia
Born
Justin Ishbia

1976 or 1977 (age 47–48)
EducationB.A. Michigan State University
J.D. Vanderbilt University School of Law
OccupationPrivate equity
Known forFounding partner of Shore Capital Partners & alternate governor of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury
FamilyMat Ishbia (brother)

Biography edit

Ishbia was raised in a Jewish family in Birmingham, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit.[4] He graduated with a B.A. from Michigan State University and a J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law.[1] After school, he worked as an attorney.[1] He is a founding partner in the Chicago-based private equity firm, Shore Capital Partners.[1]

In December 2022, he and his brother Mat Ishbia agreed to purchase the Phoenix Suns and the Phoenix Mercury from Robert Sarver for $4.0 billion.[5] His role is alternate governor for the team[6] as well as investor in the organization.[7] The deal to the Ishbia brothers was approved by the NBA on February 6, 2023.[8][9][10]

He owns a 22% interest in United Wholesale Mortgage, a company founded by his father and now headed by his brother.[1] Forbes lists his net worth as of April 2022 at US$1.5 billion.[1]

Philanthropy edit

In October 2021, Ishbia donated $10 million to his alma mater, Vanderbilt Law School. He had earlier established a scholarship fund at the school through a donation he made in 2015.[11] In January 2022, Ishbia matched his brother Mat Ishbia's $1 million donation to the V Foundation, supporting cancer research."[12]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Justin Ishbia". Forbes - The World's Billionaires. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  2. ^ "Sources: Mat Ishbia's purchase of Suns, Mercury to be official soon". espn.com. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  3. ^ Capps, Milt (12 November 2018). "Venture Notes - November 12, 2018". Venture Nashville. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  4. ^ Keene, Louis (20 December 2022). "Phoenix Suns' new owner played for his hometown Maccabi team". Jewish Daily Forward.
  5. ^ Deb, Sopan; Ganguli, Tania (20 December 2022). "Mat Ishbia Nears $4 Billion Deal for Phoenix Suns and Mercury". The New York Times.
  6. ^ Wojnarowski, Adrian (20 December 2022). "Mat Ishbia agrees to Suns purchase for record $4 billion". ESPN. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  7. ^ Bell, Evan (20 December 2022). "Who is Justin Ishbia? How is Phoenix Suns' reported "alternate governor" related to prospective owner Mat Ishbia: All you need to know". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  8. ^ "NBA approves sale of Suns, Mercury to Ishbia". ESPN.com. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  9. ^ Sports, Arizona (7 February 2023). "Mat Ishbia's purchase of Phoenix Suns approved by NBA vote". Arizona Sports. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Mat Ishbia Assumes Controlling Ownership Interest Of Phoenix Suns And Phoenix Mercury". NBA.com. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  11. ^ Sloan, Karen (6 October 2021). "Vanderbilt Law bags $10 million gift from alumnus". Reuters. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  12. ^ Solari, Chris (7 January 2022). "Dick Vitale's cancer charity gala gets $2 million from MSU booster Mat Ishbia and brother". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 27 January 2023.