Evangelos Marinakis | |
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Ευάγγελος Μαρινάκης | |
![]() Marinakis in 2021 | |
Born | Piraeus, Greece | 30 July 1967
Occupation(s) | Businessman, Shipowner |
Board member of | "Capital Group" [1] Olympiacos [2] Nottingham Forest[2] Rio Ave[3] Alter Ego Media S.A.[4] City councillor, Piraeus[5] |
Spouse | Athanasia Marinakis |
Children | 4 |
Evangelos (Vangelis) Marinakis (Ευάγγελος (Βαγγέλης) Μαρινάκης), born 30 July 1967) is a Greek businessman and investor, the proprietor and principal shareholder of a number of companies operating in the shipping, media and football sectors. The son of shipowner and politician Miltiadis Marinakis, a native of Crete, he commenced his involvement in the Greek shipping industry in 2005 with the establishment of "Capital Maritime & Trading Corp". In 2010, he made his foray into the realm of professional football by acquiring the majority stake in Olympiacos and subsequently assuming the role of team president. In 2014, he assumed a position within the local government sector, having been elected as a municipal councillor of Piraeus with the "Πειραιάς Νικητής" (Piraeus Victor) party. He retained this position even after the 2019 municipal elections, having been re-elected. In 2017, he purchased the English historical team of Nottingham Forest F.C.. In 2016, he entered the Greek media sector with "Alter Ego Media S.A.", which the following year acquired one of the most historic and popular publishing companies in Greece, Lambrakis Press Group (DOL).
Marinakis has distinguished himself in two fields: shipping and football. In the field of shipping, he has achieved recognition from the British newspaper Lloyd's List, which has included him in its list of the 100 most influential personalities in world shipping since 2010. Currently, he ranks 23rd on this list. Additionally, he spearheaded the Olympiacos team to a European trophy (UEFA Europa Conference League) the first and thus far the sole Greek team to achieve such a distinction.
Vangelis Marinakis is more widely recognized by the general public due to his involvement in the field of football. As a result of his involvement, his name has been connected to allegations of match-fixing, referee interference, and illegal violence. He was acquitted in all cases in which he was involved. In 2018, he was implicated in the high-profile case of the Noor1 ship, which carried 2.1 tones of heroin. The case closed as no evidence was found against the accused.
Because of his power and influence in the Greek sporting, political and business worlds, Marinakis has been described as an Greek Oligarch.