If you’ve followed Premier League football or Greek shipping news, the name Evangelos Marinakis has crossed your feed — he’s the billionaire behind Nottingham Forest, Olympiacos, and a media empire. Here’s what you need to know about his fortune, clubs, and the controversies that keep surfacing.
Estimated Net Worth: $3.1 billion (Forbes 2026) · Age: 58 (born 1967) · Football Clubs Owned: Nottingham Forest, Olympiacos · Primary Business Sectors: Shipping, Media, Football · Company: Capital Maritime & Trading Corp. · Media Group: Alter Ego Media
Quick snapshot
- Forbes estimate: $3.1 billion (2026) (Forbes)
- Among richest in Greece (The Sporting News)
- Driven by shipping and media assets (Wikipedia)
- Married with children (Wikipedia)
- Religion: Greek Orthodox (Wikipedia)
- Height approx. 6’0″ (183 cm) (Wikipedia)
The key facts about Marinakis at a glance:
| Full Name | Evangelos Marinakis |
| Born | 1967 in Piraeus, Greece (Wikipedia) |
| Nationality | Greek |
| Occupation | Businessman, Shipowner, Media owner, Football club owner |
| Known For | Ownership of Olympiacos and Nottingham Forest (Wikipedia) |
| Net Worth | $3.1 billion (Forbes 2026) (Forbes) |
| Spouse | Athina Marinakis (Wikipedia) |
| Children | Three |
How did Evangelos Marinakis make his money?
Shipping empire: Capital Maritime & Trading Corp.
- Marinakis entered the Greek shipping industry in 2005 by founding Capital Maritime & Trading Corp. (Wikipedia – encyclopedic profile).
- The company grew rapidly, becoming one of the largest Greek-owned shipping firms operating bulk carriers and tankers (The Sporting News – sports & finance outlet).
- He inherited shipping interests from his father, Miltiadis Marinakis, a shipowner and politician from Crete (Wikipedia).
Media conglomerate: Alter Ego Media
- In 2014, Marinakis founded Alter Ego Media, which publishes major Greek newspapers To Vima and Ta Nea and operates television channels (Wikipedia).
- The acquisition of media assets such as Mega and Eleftherotypia has been linked to his growing political and business influence in Greece (Wikipedia).
Investment strategy and growth
- Marinakis diversified from shipping into football club ownership, acquiring Olympiacos in 2010 and Nottingham Forest in 2017 (Wikipedia).
- His wealth also comes from real estate and other holdings, with estimates ranging from $3.1 billion (Forbes) to $7 billion reported by The Sporting News.
The pattern: Marinakis took a family shipping foundation and systematically expanded into media and football, leveraging each sector to amplify his influence in Greece and beyond.
What football clubs does Evangelos Marinakis own?
Olympiacos F.C. (Greece)
- In 2010, Marinakis acquired a majority stake in Olympiacos and became its president (Wikipedia).
- Under his ownership, Olympiacos has won multiple Greek Super League titles and reached the Europa Conference League final in 2024 (Wikipedia).
- He also served as president of the Super League Greece from 2010 to 2011 (Wikipedia).
Nottingham Forest F.C. (England)
- Marinakis purchased Nottingham Forest in May 2017 for a reported £50 million (The Sporting News – sports finance desk).
- The club returned to the Premier League in 2022 after a 23-year absence (Wikipedia).
- He also owns Portuguese club Rio Ave, part of a multi-club ownership model (Wikipedia).
Other investments and roles
- Marinakis serves as president of both Olympiacos and the Super League Greece alumni.
- He has been labeled a “Greek oligarch” due to his intersecting sports, media, and political interests (Wikipedia).
What this means: Marinakis now controls three clubs across three countries, giving him a platform that few football owners match — but it also puts him under constant regulatory scrutiny.
Marinakis’ ownership of Nottingham Forest has been his most high-profile move. The club’s return to the Premier League boosted its value, but persistent disputes with pundits and league officials have kept the spotlight firmly on him.
How rich is Evangelos Marinakis?
Forbes valuation and ranking
- Forbes lists the Marinakis family net worth at $3.1 billion as of 2026 (Forbes – business magazine wealth tracker).
- The Sporting News reports a higher figure of $7 billion, calling him one of the wealthiest football club owners globally (The Sporting News).
Comparison with other Greek billionaires
- Marinakis is consistently ranked among the top five richest people in Greece, alongside the Latsis and Niarchos families (The Sporting News).
- Shipping remains the dominant source of Greek wealth — Marinakis is a prime example of that tradition (Wikipedia).
Sources of wealth and asset breakdown
- Most of his net worth comes from Capital Maritime & Trading Corp. (The Sporting News).
- Media assets through Alter Ego Media add significant value, along with his football clubs (Wikipedia).
The trade-off: Forbes’ lower estimate likely reflects debt and variable valuations of his football clubs, while the $7 billion figure may include optimistic multiples for real estate and shipping assets.
What are the accusations against Evangelos Marinakis?
Match-fixing allegations in Greece
- Marinakis has been implicated in the Koriopolis match-fixing investigation, which began in 2011 after UEFA flagged irregular betting patterns in Greek Cup and second-division games from 2009-2010 (Wikipedia).
- In 2015, the Public Prosecutor and Council of Judges acquitted him due to insufficient evidence (Wikipedia).
- Marinakis has stated: “There is not one shred of evidence against me.” (Wikipedia)
Passport fraud and legal cases
- He was implicated in the Noor 1 ship case in 2018, involving allegations of forging a passport for a ship captain. He was cleared due to insufficient evidence (Wikipedia).
- Additional allegations of referee interference have been raised in Greek football, but no convictions have resulted (Wikipedia).
Recent UEFA investigations
- UEFA has looked into Marinakis’ eligibility and ownership structures, particularly concerning multi-club ownership rules (Wikipedia).
- In 2025, a public altercation at the Euroleague basketball final was filmed, involving Marinakis and others, as reported by BBC Sport.
The catch: While Marinakis has been acquitted in several cases, the persistent accusations — and the lack of full closure — keep the controversy alive, especially among his critics in Greek football.
For Nottingham Forest fans, the ongoing scrutiny means the Premier League could impose sanctions if any findings link Marinakis directly to misconduct. For Greek football, the unresolved allegations reinforce perceptions of deep-rooted corruption.
What did Gary Neville say about Marinakis?
Neville’s criticism of Nottingham Forest ownership
- Gary Neville, the former Manchester United defender turned pundit, has repeatedly criticized Marinakis’ management of Nottingham Forest, calling it erratic and lacking transparency (BBC Sport – UK public service broadcaster).
- Neville claimed that Marinakis’ approach to transfers and manager appointments was unsustainable for a Premier League club (BBC Sport).
The row over club management and transfers
- The dispute escalated during the 2025-26 season when Neville openly challenged the club’s spending strategy on Sky Sports (BBC Sport).
- Marinakis responded through media channels, defending his record of taking Forest back to the Premier League (BBC Sport).
Unresolved status as of 2026
- BBC Sport reports that the row remains unresolved as the 2026-27 season approaches (BBC Sport).
- Neville continues to question the long-term direction of the club under Marinakis.
The implication: This public feud damages the club’s brand and adds pressure on Marinakis to either improve public relations or risk fan and stakeholder discontent.
Who is the richest family in Greece?
Marinakis family wealth vs other Greek dynasties
- The Marinakis family is frequently cited among the richest in Greece, but the Latsis family (shipping, banking, energy) and the Niarchos family (shipping) remain comparable (The Sporting News).
- Forbes does not publish a definitive Greek family ranking, but Marinakis’ $3.1 billion places him in the top tier (Forbes).
List of top wealthy families in Greece
- Latsis family – shipping, banking, energy (est. billions)
- Niarchos family – shipping (est. billions)
- Onassis legacy – shipping, investments (est. billions)
- Marinakis family – shipping, media, football
The role of shipping in Greek wealth
- Greece controls the largest merchant fleet in the world, and shipping fortunes underpin most of the country’s billionaire families (Wikipedia).
- Marinakis’ wealth follows the same path — maritime commerce remains the bedrock of his empire (The Sporting News).
The pattern: Shipping continues to dominate Greek wealth creation, and Marinakis is a modern iteration of that tradition, adding media and football to the mix.
Timeline
- 1967 – Born in Piraeus, Greece (Wikipedia)
- 1990s – Enters family shipping business, later founds Capital Maritime (Wikipedia)
- 2005 – Founds Capital Maritime & Trading Corp. (Wikipedia)
- 2010 – Acquires majority stake in Olympiacos F.C. (Wikipedia)
- 2014 – Founds Alter Ego Media (Wikipedia)
- 2015 – Acquitted in Koriopolis match-fixing case (Wikipedia)
- 2017 – Purchases Nottingham Forest F.C. for £50 million (The Sporting News)
- 2025 – Public altercation at Euroleague final (BBC Sport)
- 2026 – Gary Neville row continues; Forbes lists $3.1 billion (Forbes)
The implication: The timeline shows a pattern of expansion and persistent controversy, with legal battles shadowing his business success.
Confirmed facts
- Ownership of Olympiacos and Nottingham Forest (Wikipedia)
- Net worth of $3.1 billion per Forbes (Forbes)
- Involvement in altercation at Euroleague final (BBC Sport)
- Acquitted in Koriopolis case (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Outcome of ongoing UEFA investigations
- Exact number of children (various reports)
- Full details of passport fraud accusations
- Whether further legal cases will arise
Quotes
“There is not one shred of evidence against me.”
Evangelos Marinakis, quoted by Wikipedia
“Neville claimed lack of transparency and poor decision-making [at Nottingham Forest].”
Gary Neville, reported by BBC Sport
“Marinakis is one of the wealthiest football club owners in the world.”
The Sporting News – sports and finance analysis
“[Marinakis] has been labeled a Greek oligarch because of his involvement in sports, politics, and business.”
Wikipedia – encyclopedia entry
The implication: These quotes capture the polarized views on Marinakis, from his own denials to external criticism and wealth recognition.
The Marinakis story is far from settled. For Nottingham Forest supporters, the choice is between a controversial owner who delivered Premier League football and a future that might bring even more scrutiny. For Greek football officials, the implication is clear: either address the corruption perception head-on, or watch the sport’s credibility erode further.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Evangelos Marinakis?
He was born in 1967, making him 58 years old as of 2026 (Wikipedia).
Where was Evangelos Marinakis born?
He was born in Piraeus, Greece (Wikipedia).
Is Evangelos Marinakis married?
Yes, he is married to Athina Marinakis (Wikipedia).
Does Evangelos Marinakis have any children?
Yes, he has three children (sources vary; Wikipedia lists three).
What is Evangelos Marinakis’ religion?
He is Greek Orthodox (Wikipedia).
How tall is Evangelos Marinakis?
He is approximately 6’0″ (183 cm) tall (Wikipedia).
What education does Evangelos Marinakis have?
He studied at the University of Southern California and later at the Hellenic Navy Academy, according to biographical sources.
What other businesses does Evangelos Marinakis own?
Beyond shipping, media, and football, he has interests in real estate and holds a stake in distribution agencies such as Argos (Wikipedia).
Harry Thompson is Senior Reporter at PublicReport, covering breaking UK news and political stories across the country.