In the modern game, football clubs are increasingly being treated as financial assets. Investment funds, sovereign wealth groups and absentee landlords dominate the landscape, often focusing on valuations and revenue growth rather than the supporters who fill stadiums every week. Against that backdrop, Evangelos Marinakis has carved out a reputation as an owner who sees clubs not just as businesses, but as civic institutions that embody the pride of their cities.
Marinakis, who owns Olympiacos in Greece, Rio Ave in Portugal and [Nottingham Forest](https://www.sportingnews.com/uk/football/nottingham-forest) in England, is rarely absent from the conversation when it comes to ambitious owners. His passion and visibility set him apart. Unlike many of his contemporaries who remain distant from their clubs, Marinakis is present, vocal and deeply connected to the institutions he leads. For him, success on the pitch is more than a line on a balance sheet - it is a reflection of civic identity and community pride.
His story at Olympiacos is well known. A lifelong supporter of the club, Marinakis took charge with the kind of determination that supporters often dream about but rarely see fulfilled. He has invested in stadium facilities, improved the matchday experience, and consistently built squads capable of competing at the highest level in Europe. In Piraeus, he is not viewed simply as a businessman, but as a custodian of the club's tradition and honour, ensuring Olympiacos remain a source of local and national pride.
That sense of responsibility has been replicated in England. When Marinakis acquired Nottingham Forest, he inherited a fallen giant of the English game. Years outside the Premier League had left the club behind its rivals in terms of infrastructure and competitiveness. His ownership changed the narrative. Significant investment was made in redeveloping the stadium and modernising the club's operations. On the pitch, Forest's promotion back to the Premier League was followed by heavy spending designed not for short-term profit, but for survival and long-term stability.
The scale of that commitment is reflected in the current squad. Forest are now estimated to have one of the most valuable groups of players in the world, worth around €589 million ($683m) – the highest valuation in the club's history. That figure puts them 14th globally and eighth in the Premier League, above European giants such as Juventus and AC Milan. It is a direct result of Marinakis' carefully planned recruitment strategy, building a squad not only to compete but to ensure Forest’s long-term position among the elite.
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His approach contrasts sharply with owners who see football purely as a commercial venture. While some treat clubs as portfolio assets to be traded or leveraged, he frames them as living symbols of civic identity. His leadership is undeniably passionate and engaged. Supporters may not always agree with every decision, but few doubt the intensity of his commitment.
In a football world increasingly defined by balance sheets, Marinakis represents a throwback to an older model: the powerful local owner who ties his own identity to the fortunes of his clubs. His stewardship of Olympiacos and Nottingham Forest highlights a different philosophy, one that views football not just as entertainment or business, but as a vital part of the communities it serves.
Indeed, success is not solely measured only in financial returns. It is written in victories, in stadiums full of colour and sound, and in the pride of supporters who once again believe their clubs belong on the biggest stage.
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