He co-founded two major private equity firms, Apollo Global Management and Ares Management, establishing himself as a key player in the financial world. In April 2015, he expanded his influence into professional sports by becoming co-owner of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks—a move that brought him even more public recognition. Before all the fame and success, he laid the foundation for his career with a strong academic background, earning a B.S.F.S. from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and later completing an MBA at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business.
In 1987, he married actress Jami Gertz, and together they’ve built a close-knit family. He and Jami are proud parents to three sons: Oliver, Nicholas, and Theo. Family has always been important to him, and he shares strong bonds with his siblings as well—his sister Debrah and brother Richard have been part of his journey throughout the years. Through hard work and smart decisions, he’s managed to balance a high-powered career with a grounded personal life.
He decided to step in and become a part-owner of the Hawks, especially after the team achieved an impressive record by securing the most wins in the NBA’s Eastern Conference during the 2014-15 season. It was a turning point for the franchise, and he saw great potential in joining at that moment. His involvement with the Hawks marked a significant shift, both for him and the team, as they continued building momentum. Being part of the Hawks organization allowed him to contribute not just financially, but also strategically, as the team remained competitive. The Hawks had clearly found their rhythm, and his decision to align with them made perfect sense given their outstanding performance.