MLB Team Owner Profiles: Mark Attanasio, Milwaukee Brewers

Mark Attanasio

51 Years Old (September 27, 1957)

Milwaukee Brewers

Education: B.A, Brown University (1979), J.D, Columbia (1982)

Where the $ came from:  The majority of Attanasio’s wealth is from investment banking deals. When a French bushiness man purchased an enormous stake in TCW (Trust Company of the West)—a Los Angeles based investment firm—Attanasio realized a nine-figure payday.

Mark isn’t the only Attanasio in the family with the ability to have his vision play out before him. His brother, Paul, is a renowned TV and film producer credited with such hits as House and Donnie Brasco.

You don’t run multi-billion dollar investments for simply being smart. It takes more than an ivy-league education and a successful family.

For many years Mark Attanasio has made educated guesses on where to put money—lots of money. He has succeeded more times than not by analyzing countless amounts of information and data and making sound financial decisions. Not just any old decision, but the type that can mean millions.

While in law school, Mark dreamed of one day owning his own professional sports franchise. He realized that dream before the 2005 season after buying the Milwaukee Brewers from Bud Selig’s family for approximately $220 million.

With an uncanny business mind and a hunger for making profitable investments, Attanasio is taking this savvy decision-making acumen to the Brew City.

His first year as owner proved to be a welcomed sight for long-suffering Brewers fans. The Brew Crew went 81-81 in ‘05—the first season they didn’t finish below .500 in almost 15 years.

Fans had grown tired of the stagnant condition of the franchise that lasted years under Bud Selig’s daughter, Wendy.

Three years later the Brewers made it to the postseason led by one of the brightest young collections of talent in MLB—both on the field and in the front office.

Like the most recognized and acclaimed leaders in any field, Attanasio lives by the mantra of surrounding himself with other smart and talented people and knowing when to defer to his management team.

I doubt Attanasio has achieved the success he’s had thus far in his career by keeping his thoughts and opinions to himself. Who can argue on behalf of the insane level  current salaries in MLB are at? However, rarely will you hear owners of non-major franchise speak up against it. That’s why Attanasio’s recent comments about the Yankees spending almost double the Brewers’ payroll on only two players, are spot on.

It’s easy to get behind a guy like him. The kind of person that says what everyone else is thinking.

If there is a committee to bring the Union, MLB, Owners and other parties together at some point to seriously discuss the long-term viability of Major League Baseball; Mark Attanasio is one person that is hopefully part of that process.