The 2025 appointment of Erick Thohir as the Minister of Youth and Sports marks a transition from his career in global sports management and media conglomeration. An Indonesian entrepreneur educated at the National University and Glendale Community College, he has held various cabinet roles since 2019 while maintaining a presence in international sports administration and ownership.
Media and Business Expansion
Thohir founded the Mahaka Group upon returning to Indonesia. A pivotal move occurred in 2001 when the conglomerate acquired Republika, an influential Islamic newspaper. He expanded the group’s footprint in 2002 by investing in outdoor advertising, eventually branching into television with Jak TV and various radio stations including 98.7 Gen FM and 101 Jak FM. Between 2014 and 2019, he served as the President Director of the television station ANTV, following earlier involvement in the management of tvOne and the internet news site VIVA.co.id with partner Anindya Bakrie.
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His sports business portfolio spans continents and disciplines. He was part of the consortium that acquired the Philadelphia 76ers in 2011. In football, he served as owner and chairman of the Italian club Inter Milan from 2013 to 2019 and held a co-ownership stake in the American club D.C. United between 2012 and 2018. Domestically, he maintains ownership of the Indonesian football team Persis Solo alongside Kaesang Pangarep and the English club Oxford United. Within basketball, he founded the Satria Muda team and has served as President of the Southeast Asian Basketball Association since 2006.
Political and Governance Roles
Thohir moved into the public sector by leading the 2019 presidential re-election campaign for Joko Widodo. That same year, he began his tenure as the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, a position he continued to hold under President Prabowo Subianto in 2024. His governance work extends to global organizations; he joined the International Olympic Committee in 2019 and currently serves as a member of the FIBA Central Board. He also leads the Football Association of Indonesia, having been elected to the chairmanship in February 2023.
Fast facts
- Born: 30 May 1970, Jakarta
- Education: National University, Glendale Community College
- Minister of Youth and Sports: 2025–present
- Minister of State-Owned Enterprises: 2019–2025
- International Olympic Committee member: 2019
- Award: Star of Mahaputera (2nd Class), 2024
- Religion: Islam
Questions readers ask
Which football clubs has Erick Thohir owned?
He has held ownership stakes in D.C. United, Inter Milan, Oxford United, and Persis Solo.
What is the Mahaka Group?
Founded by Thohir, it is a conglomerate focused on media, sports, and entertainment, including newspapers, television, and radio.
Achievements
- Educated at National University and Glendale Community College
