The new Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia is hoping to transform the team into a warm-weather free-agent destination that can challenge the biggest teams in the league. He has a great squad in place already and will be raring to start operations as owner and put his ideas on the team. However, this team ownership also allows him to challenge one of his biggest professional rivals on the court.
Dan Gilbert is the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and CEO of Rocket Mortgage. Ishbia is Gilbert’s largest competitor in the mortgage business and will have to contend with his team on the court. However, their battle has been brewing for years and has impacted basketball institutions like the iconic Michigan State Spartans.
The Rivalry Between Mat Ishbia And Dan Gilbert
Mat Ishbia and Dan Gilbert are both graduates of Michigan State and were massive basketball fans. Ishbia actually played under iconic coach Tom Izzo on the team, becoming an NCAA Champion with the team and going to 3 consecutive Finals Fours.
1) Mat Ishbia was born and raised near Detroit, Michigan.
He went to Michigan State University and walked on the basketball team, playing a total of ~40 minutes throughout his four-year career.
He won a National Championship under Tom Izzo and went to 3 consecutive Final Fours. pic.twitter.com/wKxonxqbms
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) December 20, 2022
Ishbia is a complete anti-thesis of previous Suns owner Robert Sarver in terms of fostering a positive work culture that motivates employees to come to work. Ishbia’s positive attitude at work has helped his company, United Wholesale Mortgage, become one of the biggest in the country and a rival to Gilbert’s well-established Rocket Mortgage, which used to be known as Quicken Loans.
3) Mat has established a strong culture in the company.
He calls 1-2 employees every single day just to let them know they are doing a good job.
"It costs me nothing — a few minutes out of the day — but it means so much and sets a positive tone that lifts the entire company."
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) December 20, 2022
Ishbia doesn’t get along with Gilbert as they have distinct philosophical differences in terms of how they run their businesses. Ishbia put Gilbert on blast for firing 2,000 employees, as he doesn’t believe in laying off employees.
7) Mat Ishbia and Dan Gilbert are both alumni of MSU.
Ishibia called it "disgusting" when Rocket Mortgage reduced its workforce by 2,000 people.
And he also issued an ultimatum to mortgage brokers, saying he would no longer work with brokers who sent loans to Rocket Mortgage. pic.twitter.com/lTJRB8AljY
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) December 20, 2022
Their rivalry played out at Michigan State as well, as both men tried to one-up the other through varying degrees of investment into the university. Ishbia donated $32 million to the Athletics department while Gilbert made Rocket Morgage the presenting sponsor for the MSU basketball team.
9) Gilbert has been extremely philanthropic in his own right, pledging $500 million to the city of Detroit.
But it will be interesting to see how this business feud plays out (and if it has any impact on their NBA teams).
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) December 20, 2022
Considering the fantastic teams both the Suns and the Cavaliers have, both men will be hoping to eventually meet each other in the NBA Finals. A Finals matchup between the Suns and the Cavs is not one anybody even has thought of an NBA Finals matchup, but these two men with a vested interest in beating each other will make for terrific television.
As long as basketball is better off as a result of two owners willing to invest in their team, fans will be happy, Ishbia improving the toxic work culture in the Suns will be a great start, and he can then move toward bringing the first championship in Phoenix Suns history.
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