Justin Ishbia
Justin Ryan Ishbia | |
|---|---|
| Born | Birmingham, Michigan, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, private equity investor |
| Known for | Co-founder of Shore Capital Partners; controlling ownership stake in Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury |
Justin Ryan Ishbia is an American billionaire entrepreneur and private equity investor, recognized as a co-founder of Shore Capital Partners. Together with his brother Mat Ishbia, he holds a controlling ownership stake in the Phoenix Suns (NBA) and Phoenix Mercury (WNBA). Additionally, he possesses minority ownership interests in the Nashville SC (MLS) and the Chicago White Sox (MLB).
Biography
Born into a Jewish household in Birmingham, Michigan, Ishbia played baseball during his time at Seaholm High School. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University and later earned a Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University School of Law, complemented by a certificate from Vanderbilt's Owen Graduate School of Management. Following his legal career, he co-established Shore Capital Partners, a private equity firm headquartered in Chicago.
In 2021, Ishbia and his brother quietly secured a minor ownership position in the Chicago White Sox, which was publicly disclosed in 2025. By May 2022, they participated as bidders for the Denver Broncos (NFL), though the franchise was ultimately acquired by a group led by former Walmart chairman Rob Walton for $4.65 billion.
The Ishbia siblings reached an agreement in December 2022 to acquire the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury from Robert Sarver for $4 billion. Justin acts as the alternate governor for the Suns and maintains an investment role within the organization. The NBA sanctioned this transaction in February 2023.
He holds a 22% ownership share in United Wholesale Mortgage, a company founded by his father and currently managed by his brother. As of June 2024, Forbes valued his net worth at $5.4 billion.
During the 2024–25 MLB offseason, Justin and Mat Ishbia contemplated purchasing the Minnesota Twins but ultimately redirected their efforts toward expanding their stake in the White Sox. In June 2025, they finalized an agreement with White Sox majority owner Jerry Reinsdorf to create a plan for Justin to assume controlling ownership following 2029.
Philanthropy
In October 2021, Ishbia contributed $10 million to Vanderbilt Law School, his alma mater, building upon a scholarship fund he initiated there in 2015. In January 2022, he matched his brother Mat Ishbia's $1 million gift to the V Foundation, supporting cancer research initiatives. In 2024, he donated an additional $10 million to Michigan State University, earmarked partly for enhancements to the baseball facilities.