If there’s one guy who’s seamlessly blended the worlds of high-stakes finance and professional sports, it’s Marc Lasry. From humble beginnings in Morocco to boardrooms on Wall Street and courtside seats at NBA games, Lasry’s story is the kind of real-life business playbook you’d expect from a bestselling biography.
The Early Days: From Marrakesh to the American Dream
Marc Lasry was born on September 23, 1959, in Marrakesh, Morocco, to Jewish parents Elise and Moise Lasry. His mom worked as a schoolteacher, and his dad was a computer programmer—far from the lavish lifestyle Lasry would one day build. In the late 1960s, with the Six-Day War looming, the Lasry family packed up and moved to West Hartford, Connecticut.
Lasry’s early years were typical of many immigrant families striving for a better life in the U.S. He worked hard, eventually earning a history degree from Clark University in 1981 before heading to New York Law School, where he received his Juris Doctor in 1984. Now at 65 years old (as of 2025), he’s proof that a sharp mind and relentless work ethic can take you far—very far.
Starting Small, Thinking Big
While studying law, Lasry clerked for Edward Ryan, the chief bankruptcy judge for the Southern District of New York. It was here that he got his first taste of distressed debt and bankruptcies—a niche that would later make him billions. After graduating, Lasry started his career in the bankruptcy division of Angel & Frankel.
But he wasn’t meant to be just another lawyer grinding through legal briefs. In 1989, with $100 million in seed money, Marc and his sister Sonia launched Amroc Investments, buying up bank debt and trade claims from distressed companies. Six years later, they doubled down on that formula with Avenue Capital Group, starting it with $7 million of their own cash. What started as a small fund focusing on distressed U.S. assets expanded globally to include Europe and Asia. Avenue Capital went on to become one of the big dogs in private equity and hedge fund circles, managing billions in distressed debt, real estate, and beyond.
By 2006, even Morgan Stanley wanted a piece of the action, buying a 15% stake in the firm.
The Bucks Bet: From Wall Street to Courtside Glory
In 2014, Lasry made a move no one saw coming. Along with fellow hedge fund guru Wes Edens, he led a group that bought the Milwaukee Bucks for $550 million. At the time, the Bucks were a middle-of-the-pack franchise. Under Lasry and Edens’ leadership, that all changed.
By 2021, the Bucks had clinched an NBA Championship, breaking a 50-year drought with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the charge. But even championships can’t rival the numbers Lasry pulled off in 2023 when he sold his 25% stake in the team to NFL owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam for a mind-blowing $3.5 billion valuation. That deal alone earned Lasry roughly $875 million, turning his original investment into a jackpot.
Beyond the Bucks: Business and Bold Moves
While Lasry is best known for Avenue Capital and the Bucks, his resume has plenty of other highlights. In the ’90s, he led the private debt department at R.D. Smith and later co-directed the bankruptcy and corporate reorganization group at Cowen & Company.
In 2010, he briefly stepped into the casino world, taking over Trump Entertainment Resorts during one of its bankruptcies, though he exited a few years later. He also had a short, stormy stint as chairman of Ozy Media amid its 2021 scandal, and today, he’s the largest shareholder of Amplify Energy, an oil and gas firm.
New Ventures: The Avenue Sports Fund
Never one to sit idle, Lasry shifted gears after leaving the Bucks. In 2023, he launched the Avenue Sports Fund, a trailblazing venture focused on women’s sports and emerging athletic opportunities. One of its early moves? Investing in the Bay Golf Club, part of the innovative TGL golf league backed by big names like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
Giving Back
Lasry’s success has fueled his passion for philanthropy. Together with his wife, Cathy Cohen, Marc has given generously to causes close to their hearts. Over the years, they’ve made sizable donations to Clark University—where Marc studied—and the University of Pennsylvania, Cathy’s alma mater. At Clark, their contributions helped establish a center for bioscience research.
He’s also supported NYC’s cultural scene, serving on the boards of the 92nd Street Y and the Big Apple Circus, and as a trustee for Mount Sinai Hospital. And in 2016, Lasry even took part in the Portfolios with Purpose contest, where financial pros compete to pick top-performing stock portfolios for charity.
Family Ties
Despite his busy professional life, Lasry’s heart is rooted in family. He and Cathy have raised five children, and their eldest son, Alex Lasry, made headlines with his run for the U.S. Senate in Wisconsin in 2022. Another child, Samantha, served as a staffer for Rahm Emanuel, showing that the next generation of Lasrys is also making its mark in politics and public service.
The Legacy Continues
Today, with a net worth of $2 billion, Marc Lasry continues to be one of the sharpest minds in finance and sports. Whether steering hedge funds, reshaping an NBA franchise, or investing in the future of women’s athletics, Lasry has proven that calculated risks and community commitment can go hand in hand.
And if you ask anyone who’s worked with him, they’ll probably tell you: Marc Lasry is far from done.
