Gordon (r), with just under a 10% stake in FSG, has been hailed for his role in Liverpool's revivalGETTY IMAGES
MICHAEL GORDON is the third-largest stakeholder in Fenway Sports Group and a "powerful voice in that organization," even as he "lives almost entirely out of the public’s sight," according to Michael Silverman of the BOSTON GLOBE. Red Sox President SAM KENNEDY said of Gordon, “He doesn’t enjoy the spotlight. He doesn’t even enjoy credit. He’ll be quick to defer and deflect.” Shortly after Red Sox Owner JOHN HENRY and Chair TOM WERNER's group bought the club in '02, Gordon and current Lightning Owner JEFF VINIK "bought in as limited partners." Gordon’s "voice behind the scenes gradually grew," and his stake in FSG increased to now just under 10% -- with Werner at 12% and Henry at 40% -- "as did his role." Gordon currently is living his "mountaintop moment." He took on a "daunting project eight years ago that has now been acclaimed as a spectacular achievement: the resurrection" of EPL club Liverpool. After decades of "dysfunction and disappointment," the club is "now one of the best soccer teams on the planet." Liverpool manager JURGEN KLOPP said Gordon is the "brain behind all the things at Liverpool." Patriots President JONATHAN KRAFT: “I’ve never met anybody who is as intellectually capable and talented and humble and empathetic and philanthropic as Mike" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/30).
