Who Is Evangelos Marinakis? Meet Nottingham Forest Billionaire Boss

Evangelos Marinakis is not your average football club owner. A Greek shipping magnate, media baron, and sports entrepreneur, he has built a reputation for being fiercely passionate and deeply involved in the success of his teams. Born on July 30, 1967, in Piraeus, Greece, Marinakis inherited the family shipping business and expanded it into a global empire through Capital Maritime & Trading Corp.

He made waves in the football world as the long-standing owner of Olympiacos FC, the most successful Greek football club. In 2017, he expanded his influence to England by acquiring Nottingham Forest, one of the country’s most historic clubs. His ambitious vision was clear: to restore Forest’s glory days and lead them back into European competition.

The Fiery Incident: Confrontation with Nuno Espirito Santo

On Sunday, May 11, 2025, Evangelos Marinakis found himself at the center of controversy when he stormed onto the pitch following Nottingham Forest’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Leicester City. Visibly upset, Marinakis confronted coach Nuno Espirito Santo, questioning his decision to keep an injured Taiwo Awoniyi on the pitch during the closing minutes of the match.

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Awoniyi had been subbed in late in the second half but collided with the post during a rapid counterattack. Though he briefly returned to the field, he was clearly struggling, limping as Forest desperately pushed for a winner to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

Nuno later explained that the substitution situation was a result of miscommunication from the medical staff. “We got information he was okay to keep going… Unfortunately, we didn’t have another stoppage to change him,” Nuno told Sky Sports.

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Marinakis Responds: “It’s About Passion”

Shortly after the incident, Marinakis issued a public statement, clarifying that his outburst was not about personal grievances but a natural emotional reaction rooted in his love for the club.

“Everybody — coaching staff, players, supporters, and including myself — we were frustrated around the injury of Taiwo and the medical staff’s misjudgement,” he said. “This is natural, this is a demonstration of the passion we feel for our club.”

Despite the tense moment, Marinakis reaffirmed his support for Nuno and the team, especially in light of Nottingham Forest’s historic achievement — qualifying for European football for the first time in 30 years.

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Nottingham Forest’s Revival Under Marinakis

Since Marinakis took over in 2017, Nottingham Forest has undergone a dramatic transformation:

• Premier League Return: After years in the Championship, Forest earned promotion back to the Premier League in 2022.
• Infrastructure Investment: Significant investments were made in stadium upgrades, training facilities, and scouting.
• High-Profile Signings: Under Marinakis, Forest has attracted international talent and strengthened its squad depth.
• European Qualification: With their recent performances, Forest has secured a spot in a European competition — fulfilling a key promise Marinakis made upon acquiring the club.

Beyond Football: A Business and Media Mogul

Outside football, Marinakis is a powerful figure in global shipping and Greek media:

• Capital Maritime & Trading Corp: A global leader in maritime transport.
• Media Ventures: Owner of Greek media outlets including the Ethnos newspaper and One Channel.
• Philanthropy: Known for contributions to education, disaster relief, and health services in Greece.

His involvement in sports is deeply personal. As a lifelong Olympiacos fan, Marinakis is known for sitting among supporters during high-stakes matches — a tradition he has continued with Nottingham Forest.