Antony P. Ressler (born October 12, 1960) is an American businessman. He co-founded the private equity firms Apollo Global Management in 1990, and Ares Management in 1997. Ressler is also owner of the Atlanta Hawks basketball team, acquiring them in 2015. He is married to actress Jami Gertz. His net worth was estimated at $10.5 billion in 2026.
Biography Ressler was born in Washington D.C. on October 12, 1960, to a Jewish family,Jewish Journal: "It's Always Gilda - Actress Jami Gertz wants to do justice to the memory of the late SNL comedienne" By Naomi Pfefferman April 25, 2002Atlanta Jewish Times: "Jewish Investor Buying Hawks" by David R. Cohen April 29, 2015 one of five children of Dorothy and Ira Ressler.New York Times: "Paid Notice: Deaths RESSLER, IRA RICHARD" October 29, 2000 His father was an attorney and World War II veteran. Ressler earned a BSFS from Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service and an MBA from Columbia Business School.Ares Management website: "Tony Ressler - Senior Partner retrieved August 20, 2013 After graduating, he worked at Drexel Burnham Lambert, eventually reaching senior vice president in the high yield bond department with responsibility for the new issue/syndicate desk.
In 1990, on the heels of the collapse of Drexel Burnham Lambert, he co-founded the private equity firm Apollo Global Management with Leon Black, Drexel's managing director, head of the Mergers & Acquisitions Group, and co-head of the Corporate Finance Department; John Hannan, Drexel's former co-director of international finance; Craig Cogut, a lawyer who worked with Drexel's high-yield division in Los Angeles; Arthur Bilger, the former head of the Drexel's corporate finance department; and Marc Rowan, Josh Harris and Michael Gross, all of whom worked under Black in the mergers and acquisitions department.Ex-Drexel Executives Arrange Aid for Fruit of the Loom, August 24, 1990Changes at Drexel Continue. New York Times, March 11, 1989Drexel's Uncertain Future. New York Times, October 15, 1989Drexel Divided on Settlement. New York Times, December 17, 1988 In 1997, he co-founded Ares Management with former Apollo Global Management co-worker John H. Kissick and Bennett Rosenthal, who joined the group from the global leveraged finance group at Merrill Lynch.Ares Management to Take New Fund Public. Los Angeles Times, April 22, 2004
Ressler is a member of the executive committee of the board of directors of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; finance chair and member of the executive committee of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art; a board member of Campbell Hall Episcopal School in Studio City, California; and one of the founding members of the board and finance chair of the Painted Turtle Camp, an organization that takes children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses on camping trips. Ressler is a supporter of military veterans through the work of The Greatest Generations Foundation.
Sports In 2005, he belonged to an investment group led by Mark Attanasio that acquired Major League Baseball's Milwaukee Brewers.Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "Two Investors from L.A. in on deal" by Don Walker April 27, 2005
In June 2015, he led a group that acquired the NBA's Atlanta Hawks basketball team for US$730 million.Bloomberg: "NBA Governors Approve $730 Million Hawks Sale to Ressler's Group" By Scott Soshnick and Zeke Faux June 24, 2015 It was ultimately sold to him for $850 million.Atlanta Hawks Selling for $850 Million. The Wall Street Journal. Ben Cohen. April 22, 2015. accessed February 9, 2016 Minority investors included Grant Hill, Sara Blakely, Jesse Itzler, Steven Price, and Rick Schnall.NBA: "Group Led By Tony Ressler Completes Purchase of Atlanta Hawks" June 25, 2015 | "Other investors include seven-time NBA All-Star Grant Hill, who will serve as Vice Chair of the Board, Townsquare Media Chair and CEO Steven Price, Clayton Dubilier & Rice partner Rick Schnall, and Spanx founder Sara Blakely and Marquis Jet co-founder Jesse Itzler, who are married"
Personal life On June 16, 1989, he married actress Jami Gertz. They live in Los Angeles, and have a daughter and three sons. Gertz-Ressler High Academy, a member of Alliance College-Ready Public Schools, is named after the couple. They are members of the Wilshire Boulevard Temple.
Ressler's sister, Broadway producer Debra Ressler, is married to Apollo co-founder Leon Black.Bloomberg: "Leon Black Loses to Carl Icahn as Apollo Sets New Credit Terms" By Anthony Effinger & Cristina Alesci July 7, 2010 His brother, Richard Ressler, is a principal and founder of CIM Investment management.Huffington Post: "Tony and Richard Ressler" retrieved August 20, 2013
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