From Ballpark Buildings to the Bulls
Before Michael Reinsdorf took charge of Chicago Bulls business operations, his work included the buildings where sports happen. A facilities consultancy, a minor-league baseball club, and an ECHL hockey team formed the earlier stages of his career. I find that background useful because it places him in the business of running sports organizations, beyond the familiar image of an owner’s son joining a famous franchise.
The name Michael Andrew Reinsdorf appears in discussions of him, although Andrew is not confirmed in his principal professional biographies. Those generally identify him simply as Michael Reinsdorf, president and chief executive officer of the Chicago Bulls. His exact birth date is also unestablished. Being described as 49 in 2016 suggests a birth around 1966 or 1967.
Building a Sports Business Career
Michael graduated from the University of Arizona. His major and graduation year are not established here. He became a founding partner of International Facilities Group, a consultancy involved in sports and entertainment facilities.
His work also included leadership of the Harrisburg Senators, a Double-A baseball affiliate of the Washington Nationals. As chairman, he oversaw approximately $40 million in ballpark renovations. The club experienced an attendance increase in 2010. He was additionally an owner and chairman of the Stockton Thunder hockey team.
I see these positions as practical preparation for managing venues, customers, staff, and long-term investment. They do not establish basketball expertise by themselves, but they explain the business route that preceded his Bulls appointment.
| Date or period | Career development |
|---|---|
| 2001 | Began involvement in Bulls NBA league matters |
| About 2007 to 2008 | Served as an alternate governor |
| September 13, 2010 | Named Bulls president and chief operating officer |
| About 2017 to 2018 | Became the team’s NBA governor |
| By 2023 | Identified as Bulls president and CEO |
| April 8, 2026 | Discussed process and communication in front-office leadership |
When the Bulls created his president and COO position in 2010, he oversaw business operations and reported to his father, Jerry. Basketball operations still reported to Jerry at that time. Later titles and responsibilities expanded, including the governor’s seat and the CEO designation.
Jerry Reinsdorf and the Family Sports Holdings
Michael’s father, Jerry Michael Reinsdorf, was born February 25, 1936, in Brooklyn. His parents were Max and Marion Reinsdorf, Polish Jewish immigrants. Max sold and repaired sewing machines. Jerry earned a George Washington University degree in 1957 and a Northwestern law degree in 1960 before working as a tax lawyer and certified public accountant.
He co-founded Balcor in 1973, bought the Chicago White Sox in 1981, and acquired control of the Bulls in 1985. The Bulls won six championships during the 1990s, and the White Sox won the 2005 World Series.
The family’s baseball ownership is more complicated than a single percentage. In April 2025, a fund controlled by Michael and his brother Jonathan was described as holding about 30 percent of the White Sox. Jerry’s personal share was about 20 percent, while the Ishbia brothers held approximately 35 percent. I would not confuse those equity interests with the chairman’s authority or treat Michael as the sole owner.
Martyl Reinsdorf and a Different Kind of Legacy
Michael’s mother, Martyl Rifkin Reinsdorf, was born March 4, 1936, in Denver to Milton and Vivette Rifkin. Her family moved to Chicago in 1944. She studied Japanese and Chinese history at George Washington University and married Jerry in 1956.
Her own work included government employment, cloisonné jewelry design, and children’s coloring books. She designed five of the Bulls’ six championship rings and the White Sox’s 2005 World Series ring. I find that an especially vivid family detail: objects celebrated as symbols of athletic achievement also carried a mother’s artistic contribution.
Martyl died June 28, 2021, aged 85, after a long illness. Michael remembered her affection for children and her involvement with his own family, including making programs and costumes. Her life belonged to both the private household and the public visual history of Chicago’s teams.
Michael’s siblings are Susan, Jonathan, and David. David had died by the time of their mother’s 2021 obituary. Jonathan, whose wife is Holly, shares a role with Michael in the family’s White Sox investment fund. He is a separate person from the Bulls CEO.
Nancy Reinsdorf and Their Three Children
Michael is married to Nancy Reinsdorf, president of Chicago Bulls Charities since 2012. She grew up in Highland Park and studied political science at Roosevelt University. Her charity leadership emphasized health and wellness, youth education, and violence prevention.
They have three children. In January 2014, their ages were given as 19, 17, and 14, placing them in adulthood by 2026. Their names and detailed personal lives are not established in the material available here. I consider that boundary part of an accurate family portrait, rather than a gap that needs imaginative filling.
Nancy and Michael issued a joint statement on May 31, 2020, after the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. Their message addressed equality and safety in Chicago. It reflected the civic role they connect to the Bulls organization.
Public Responsibilities and Financial Limits
Michael’s institutional roles extend to NBA committees and Chicago organizations. His affiliations have included the NBA Media Committee, NBA Planning Committee, Northwestern University, the Museum of Science and Industry, youth programs, and the Lurie Children’s Hospital foundation.
In April 2026, he emphasized a more disciplined process and clearer communication in selecting basketball leadership. I read that as a public acknowledgment that organizational decisions need an understandable framework and that fans deserve to know the team’s direction.
His Bulls salary and personal net worth are not established. A charity filing listing no reportable compensation for his director role concerns that charity position. It does not reveal his compensation as a sports executive.
FAQ
Is Michael Reinsdorf Jerry Reinsdorf’s son?
Yes. His parents are Jerry Reinsdorf and the late Martyl Rifkin Reinsdorf. His siblings are Susan, Jonathan, and the late David.
What is his position with the Chicago Bulls?
He is president and chief executive officer and serves as the team’s NBA governor. His operating role began on September 13, 2010, as president and COO.
Who is his wife?
His wife is Nancy Reinsdorf, president of Chicago Bulls Charities. They have three children.
Is Andrew his confirmed middle name?
The principal professional biographies identify him as Michael Reinsdorf. The middle name Andrew remains unverified in those biographies.
