Michael Ashley

Michael James Wallace is a British billionaire. He is the patron of Sports Direct, the first UK retailer of sporting goods. He is also the owner of the football team Newcastle United.

After leaving school at 16, Ashley opened his first store items slopes at Maidenhead in 1980. This will be the first of a chain of 100 stores opened in England in a decade. Expansion supported by very strong demand that allows Mike Ashley to be the number one in this industry.

In 2004, Mike Ashley continues to expand purchasing renowned companies such as Dunlop Slazenger, Kangol, Lonsdale and Leisure Black.

In 2007, the St. James Holdings which includes the properties of Mike Ashley acquired the prestigious football club Newcastle United for £ 135 million. The British businessman not present on medias apperas for the first time under spotlights.

Sports Direct International employs over 11,000 employees working in Britain, Ireland, Slovenia, Belgium and Luxembourg. The group has no less than 470 stores Lilliwhites well, a legendary brand sales of sports clothing bought by the British businessman in 2002.

In 2011, his fortune was estimated at 950 million pounds.