Cover Many of Southeast Asia’s most prominent businessmen stand behind the world’s leading sports clubs
Many of Southeast Asia’s most prominent businessmen stand behind the world’s leading sports clubs
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With a deep-rooted passion for sport and a sharp eye for business, several of the region’s top business figures have chosen to invest in prestigious tournaments and sports clubs.
Known for their strategic acumen, affluent businessmen around the globe frequently seek new ways to diversify their portfolios—often with an eye to influence and standing. Sports tournaments, in particular, offer not only the potential for long-term profit, but also a platform for prestige and power. As a result, many millionaires and billionaires have not hesitated to pour significant resources into acquiring renowned sports clubs.
For those with a personal love of sport, ownership brings more than financial return—it allows them to indulge their passion while shaping the direction of the teams they cherish.
Tatler introduces five leading Southeast Asian figures who are making waves in the world of sport.
Erick Thohir (Indonesia)
Erick Thohir, an Indonesian businessman, politician and philanthropist, currently serves as President of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI). Prior to this role, he was already well known in political circles and had built a track record of notable achievements. He is also celebrated as the first Southeast Asian businessman to own two professional sports clubs in the United States.
Having taken over storied names such as Inter Milan FC, the Philadelphia 76ers and Satria Muda, Thohir became a familiar figure across both media and the sporting world. He frequently appears in the press, sharing his personal insights and his ambitions to elevate Indonesian football on the global stage. In recent years, he has actively put forward fresh ideas to modernise and grow the sport within his home country.
Tunku Ismail Idris (Malaysia)
Tunku Ismail Idris, the eldest son of Sultan Ibrahim and Queen Raja Zarith Sofiah, plays an active role in royal, economic and political affairs. He has also carved out a distinct reputation in global sporting circles, most notably in football sports clubs across Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Football fans will recognise him as the owner and Chairman of Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) Club—one of the region’s leading teams.
Under his stewardship, JDT has gone from strength to strength, securing multiple national titles in the Malaysia Super League. The sports club also made history in 2015 as the first Southeast Asian team to win the AFC Cup.
A firm believer in investing in infrastructure, Tunku Ismail Idris has channelled considerable resources into developing stadiums, training facilities and support systems—not only for the benefit of JDT, but to raise the overall calibre of football in Malaysia.
Away from the pitch, he is equally known for his love of supercars. His collection, said to include around 100 vehicles, caught global attention in September 2024 when he added a striking orange Rolls-Royce Spectre to his fleet.
Chatri Sityodtong (Thailand)
Chatri Sityodtong is both a seasoned businessman and a martial artist, best known as the Founder, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship—an organisation that has become a major force in MMA, and a growing presence in the wider sporting world.
Before dedicating himself to Muay Thai, he worked as an architect, ran a real estate business, and found success in finance, managing a number of respected investment funds on Wall Street. In 2009, he made the decision to step away from the financial world to follow his long-standing passion for martial arts. Two years later, in 2011, he established ONE Championship. Today, it stands among the largest MMA promotions globally, with broadcasts reaching audiences in hundreds of countries. In recent years, the organisation has also signed contracts with several professional MMA fighters from Vietnam.
Forrest Li (Singapore)
Forrest Li, a Singaporean billionaire, is best known as the founder of Sea Limited, the tech powerhouse behind platforms such as Garena and Shopee.
Beyond the technology sector, his reach soon extended into the realm of sport. Fuelled by a deep love for football, he currently serves as President of the professional football club Lion City Sailors. In April 2025, he was officially appointed President of the Football Association of Singapore.
Under his stewardship and financial support, the Lion City Sailors have emerged as a dominant force domestically, clinching the Singapore Premier League title and performing impressively in international competitions such as the AFC Champions League. Now, as Chairman of the Football Association, Forrest Li has expressed a clear ambition to restore Singapore’s prominence on the global football stage.
Nguyen Bao Hoang (Vietnam)
Nguyen Bao Hoang (Henry) is Chairman of Phoenix Holdings, an investment firm with interests spanning technology, consumer and retail, fintech, education, sports, media and entertainment. He previously served as General Director of IDG Ventures Vietnam, led the expansion of McDonald’s in Vietnam, and held the position of Executive Chairman at Timo Digital Bank.
His enthusiasm for sport led him to found Saigon Heat in 2011—a professional basketball team that represents Vietnam in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL). He also co-founded the Vietnam Basketball Association (VBA). At present, he holds the posts of President of the Vietnam Basketball Federation and President of the Southeast Asian Basketball Federation.
Above Mr. Nguyen Bao Hoang (Henry), Chairman of Phoenix Holdings
Mr. Nguyen Bao Hoang (Henry), Chairman of Phoenix Holdings
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Alongside his involvement in domestic sport, he is also CEO of Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC). The club entered Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2018 and immediately made its mark by building its own venue, the Banc of California Stadium. Under his leadership, LAFC captured the MLS Cup in 2022.
