Mike Golub has worked in sports for over 30 years and helped build teams in every major league in the U.S. He has been in the sports industry from the start for some teams, helping them grow from the ground up.
His work encompasses everything from building stadiums to shaping how teams communicate with fans.
He helped create stronger ties between teams and the cities they play in, not just by growing attendance, but by making teams feel local and lasting. So, how much is he earning? Let’s find out.
Mike Golub Net Worth: How Much Does He Earn?
Mike Golub has an estimated net worth between $5 million and $10 million. His long career leading major American sports teams has built his reputation and financial success.
He has started new teams and handled sponsorship deals worth millions of dollars. His wealth demonstrates the significant impact he has had in professional sports.
His net worth is also tied to the success of the teams he helped grow, such as the Portland Timbers. The team is now worth $650 million, which is significantly higher than the $35 million expansion fee they paid in 2011.
Mike Golub’s Business Success and Money Growth
Mike Golub’s career shows excellent business results. He helped get major naming rights deals worth $90 million and $50 million. This generated hundreds of millions in total sponsorship revenue.
Under his leadership, the Portland Timbers became one of the most profitable MLS teams. They sold out every match since joining the league in 2011 before COVID hit.
The team maintained a season ticket base of 20,500 and consistently ranked among the best in renewals and fan experience.
Golub’s business plans also changed the Portland Thorns into the highest-earning and most-watched professional women’s sports team in the world. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Thorns averaged 20,000 fans per game, setting a record worldwide.
During his time with the Memphis Grizzlies, he sold all 65 premium suites and seats on multi-year contracts. While at the New York Rangers, he helped the team reach record gross revenue numbers after the NHL lockout.
His building projects include overseeing the construction of the FedEx Forum for the NBA and Providence Park for MLS/NWSL, as well as team training centers. He was also key in the first NBA team move in 18 years.
He played a significant role in Nike’s global sports and entertainment division, working with top athletes such as Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan.
Mike’s Career Highlights Across Sports and Leagues
Mike Golub is the President of Business for SlamBall, and his career has lasted over 30 years across all five major U.S. sports. He has built and managed teams in both significant and growing markets.
He launched three top-performing franchises from scratch. Most notably, he created and carried out the launch plans for the Portland Timbers in 2011 and the Portland Thorns in 2013. He led both teams to commercial and cultural success.
As a founding board member of the National Women’s Soccer League, Golub helped shape the league’s direction and chaired multiple committees. Under his guidance, the Portland Thorns became the first women’s team ever nominated for Sports Team of the Year by Sports Business Journal.
His earlier work includes leading the NBA’s Events Division. He introduced new ideas, such as NBA Fan Fest and the Skills Challenge, and took the NBA Draft on the road for the first time.
Moreover, Golub helped launch WNBA business operations. He oversaw international NBA events, including games in Japan and exhibitions for the original Dream Team.
Mike’s Community Work and Recognition
Mike has long prioritized using sports as a means to create community impact.
The Portland Timbers and Thorns received national honors for their community programs, including being the first-ever nominees for the ESPN Sports Humanitarian Award and three-time winners of the MLS Community Team of the Year award.
In Memphis, he helped create the Grizzlies House at St. Jude Children’s Hospital and established a long-standing partnership with the National Civil Rights Museum.
He has been repeatedly recognized for his leadership, earning the MLS Executive of the Year award twice and appearing on Portland’s 50 Most Influential People and Oregon’s 25 Most Influential in Sports lists multiple times.
Golub frequently gives back through education and leadership. He has taught at the Football Business Academy in Geneva and guest lectured at Stanford, Harvard, Columbia, Dartmouth, and the University of Oregon.
Similarly, he has served on numerous boards, including Oregon Public Broadcasting, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and as Past President of the Portland Business Alliance. He is currently a board director at Recycleballs.
