{{Short description|American Entrepreneur}} {{Infobox person | image = Alan Smolinisky 2022 Dodger Stadium Speech.jpg | caption = Smolinisky delivers address to thousands of new U.S. Citizens at Dodger Stadium. | name = Alan Smolinisky | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1979|11|28|mf=y}} | spouse = {{marriage|Caroline Smolinisky|2010}} | children = 3 | birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | alma_mater = University of Southern California | occupation = Entrepreneur/investor }}
'''Alan Smolinisky''' is an American entrepreneur/investor and part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.<ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/robert-plummer-alan-smolinisky-join-dodgers-ownership-group|title=Plummer, Smolinisky join Dodgers' ownership |publisher=MLB.com |date = September 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27654859/dodgers-add-2-businessmen-ownership-group|title=Dodgers add 2 businessmen to ownership group |publisher=ESPN |date = September 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.wsj.com/articles/los-angeles-dodgers-add-two-entrepreneurs-to-ownership-team-11568936324|title=Los Angeles Dodgers Add Two Entrepreneurs to Ownership Team |work=The Wall Street Journal |date = September 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-09-20/los-angeles-dodgers-sell-stakes-to-plummer-smolinisky|title=Los Angeles Dodgers Sell Stakes to Plummer, Smolinisky |publisher=Bloomberg |date = September 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/2-businessmen-join-ownership-group-of-Los-Angeles-14454064.php|title=2 businessmen join ownership group of Los Angeles Dodgers |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date = September 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.greenwichtime.com/sports/article/2-businessmen-join-ownership-group-of-Los-Angeles-14454064.php |title=2 businessmen join ownership group of Los Angeles Dodgers |work=Greenwich Time |date=September 19, 2019 |access-date=September 20, 2019 |archive-date=September 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920174647/https://www.greenwichtime.com/sports/article/2-businessmen-join-ownership-group-of-Los-Angeles-14454064.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> In June 2022, Smolinisky partnered with Nike founder Phil Knight and submitted an offer of more than $2 billion to purchase the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers.<ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/02/sports/basketball/nike-phil-knight-dodgers-adam-smolinisky-portland-trail-blazers.html|title=Nike Founder Phil Knight and a Dodgers Owner Bid for Portland Trail Blazers |publisher=New York Times |date = June 2, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34026351/sources-nike-phil-knight-dodgers-alan-smolinisky-make-offer-buy-portland-trail-blazers|title=Nike's Phil Knight, Dodgers' Alan Smolinisky make offer to buy Portland Trail Blazers |publisher=ESPN.com |date = June 2, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.wsj.com/articles/phil-knight-portland-trail-blazers-nike-11654211411?mod=Searchresults_pos1&page=1|title=Phil Knight Makes Offer for Portland Trail Blazers-Who Say They Aren't For Sale |publisher=Wall Street Journal |date = June 2, 2022}}</ref>
==Career== Smolinisky began his career in commercial real estate in the late 1990s while attending the University of Southern California. Smolinisky partnered with his then landlord Brian Chen. Together, through their company Conquest Student Housing, they built and renovated properties around Campus, eventually becoming the largest provider of student housing at USC,<ref>{{Cite news| url =http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/generation-next-alan-smolinisky/article_6e062761-7a35-5962-ad85-f4a9721cb15b.html?mode=story|title=Generation Next: Alan Smolinisky |work=Los Angeles Downtown News |date = June 28, 2004}}</ref> and later at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Conquest became so dominant at USC that the university sued the company under the Sherman Antitrust Act for "monopolizing the student housing market around USC's University Park Campus".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kang |first=Esther Yoon-Ji |last2=read |first2=Amy Qin |date=2025-11-25 |title=What happened when Sausage King of Chicago bought a South Side housing complex? |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/2025/11/25/sausage-king-of-chicago-south-side-housing-slum-section-8-alan-smolinisky-brian-chen |access-date=2026-04-12 |website=Chicago Sun-Times |language=en}}</ref>
The company was sold to a private equity firm and publicly traded REIT in summer 2008 for $205 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Quick |first=Jason |date=2022-06-03 |title=As bid for Blazers ownership emerges, a reason to pause: Be careful what you wish for |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3347605/2022/06/02/blazers-ownership-phil-knight/ |access-date=2026-04-12 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> After the sale, Smolinisky and Chen focused on public securities investment.
Smolinisky and Chen are value investors, an investment paradigm that derives from the ideas on investment that Benjamin Graham and David Dodd began teaching at Columbia Business School in 1928, focusing on acquiring assets below their intrinsic value. Today, that movement is most closely associated with Berkshire Hathaway chairman Warren E. Buffett and his late vice chairman Charlie T. Munger.
Smolinisky and Chen manage their own personal capital from Los Angeles with investments in commercial real estate, publicly traded securities, energy, capital equipment leasing and venture capital.
In May 2026, Smolinisky was named Lead Independent Director for the Jack In The Box ({{NASDAQ|JACK}}) Board of Directors. He is also Chairman of the Capital Allocation committee for the company, which owns and franchises over 2,100 restaurants in 24 states.<ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251103207942/en/Jack-in-the-Box-Inc.-Announces-Mark-King-and-Alan-Smolinisky-Appointed-to-Board-of-Directors|title=Jack in the Box Inc. Announces Mark King and Alan Smolinisky Appointed to Board of Directors |publisher=businesswire |date = November 3, 2025}}</ref>
== The Los Angeles Dodgers == Smolinisky became an owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the team's home, Dodger Stadium, in 2019, joining partners Mark Walter, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Peter Guber, Bobby Patton, Todd Boehly and Billie Jean King. In the team's press release announcing his purchase, Smolinisky said "I'm a lifelong Dodger fan and to now be a part of their ownership group is an exciting opportunity and time for me and my family."<ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/robert-plummer-alan-smolinisky-join-dodgers-ownership-group|title=Plummer, Smolinisky join Dodgers' ownership |publisher=MLB.com |date = September 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27654859/dodgers-add-2-businessmen-ownership-group|title=Dodgers add 2 businessmen to ownership group |publisher=ESPN |date = September 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.wsj.com/articles/los-angeles-dodgers-add-two-entrepreneurs-to-ownership-team-11568936324|title=Los Angeles Dodgers Add Two Entrepreneurs to Ownership Team |work=The Wall Street Journal |date = September 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-09-20/los-angeles-dodgers-sell-stakes-to-plummer-smolinisky|title=Los Angeles Dodgers Sell Stakes to Plummer, Smolinisky |publisher=Bloomberg |date = September 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url =https://twitter.com/ramonashelburne/status/1174823944643198983|title=The Los Angeles Dodgers ownership group has added two new limited partners in businessmen Robert L. Plummer and Alan Smolinisky |publisher=Twitter |date = September 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/2-businessmen-join-ownership-group-of-Los-Angeles-14454064.php|title=2 businessmen join ownership group of Los Angeles Dodgers |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date = September 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.greenwichtime.com/sports/article/2-businessmen-join-ownership-group-of-Los-Angeles-14454064.php |title=2 businessmen join ownership group of Los Angeles Dodgers |work=Greenwich Time |date=September 19, 2019 |access-date=September 20, 2019 |archive-date=September 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920174647/https://www.greenwichtime.com/sports/article/2-businessmen-join-ownership-group-of-Los-Angeles-14454064.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In a ''Time'' magazine piece written by Smolinisky, he described his poor immigrant father learning to speak English by listening to Vin Scully’s Dodger broadcast while he worked as a janitor. Smolinisky has said the purchase was to honor his immigrant father's love of America and baseball.<ref>{{Cite news| url =https://time.com/5691252/immigrants-son-los-angeles-dodgers-owner|title=How an Immigrant's Son Became a New Los Angeles Dodgers Owner |work=Time |date = October 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.wsj.com/articles/ballgames-arent-the-same-without-crowds-11601843383?mod=opinion_lead_pos10|title=Ballgames Aren't The Same Without Crowds |work=The Wall Street Journal |date = October 4, 2020}}</ref>
In its 2026 rankings, CNBC estimated the value of the Dodgers at $8 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ozanian |first=Michael |date=2026-03-13 |title=2. Los Angeles Dodgers |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/13/mlb-valuations-2026-los-angeles-dodgers.html |access-date=2026-04-12 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref>
== The Palisadian-Post == In 2012, Smolinisky purchased the ''Palisadian-Post'', a subscription based newspaper that served Pacific Palisades, California.<ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2013-jan-29-la-me-palisadian-post-20130130-story.html|title=Pacific Palisades newspaper junkie buys his own paper |work=Los Angeles Times |date = January 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url =http://www.inc.com/will-yakowicz-jeff-bezos-joins-group-of-entrepreneurs-who-buy-newspapers.html |title=6 Entrepreneurs Who Purchased a Paper |work=Inc. |date = August 6, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url =http://patch.com/california/pacificpalisades/palisadian-post-bought-by-local-businessman |title=Palisadian-Post Sold to Local Businessman |publisher=Pacific Palisades Patch |date = December 11, 2012}}</ref> The Palisadian-Post was founded in 1928 and ran until 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Branson-Potts |first=Hailey |date=2025-12-11 |title=After 97 years and a catastrophic fire, the Palisadian-Post newspaper ceases publication |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-12-11/pacific-palisades-palisadian-post-newspaper-shuts-down |url-access=subscription |access-date=2025-12-11 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url =http://www.palipost.com/our-history/|title=Our History |work=Palisadian-Post}}</ref> A 2013 front-page ''Los Angeles Times'' profile of Smolinisky quoted him as saying "Pacific Palisades is my favorite place on Earth, and the Palisadian-Post is my favorite newspaper."<ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2013-jan-29-la-me-palisadian-post-20130130-story.html|title=Pacific Palisades newspaper junkie buys his own paper |work=Los Angeles Times |date = January 29, 2013}}</ref> Shortly after his purchase, Smolinisky shut down the printing business,<ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.adweek.com/performance-marketing/pacific-palisades-post-alan-smolinisky-charles-munger-warren-buffett/|title=This Guy Owns a Ferrari, a Bentley and Now...A Local Newspaper |publisher=Media Bistro |date = January 31, 2013}}</ref> replaced most of the staff,<ref>{{Cite news| url =http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-palisades-20131211,0,1431153.story#axzz2p6fJUXqi|title=A different Palisadian-Post is arriving in subscribers' mailboxes |work=Los Angeles Times |date = December 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url =http://jimromenesko.com/2013/02/04/newspaper-owner-fires-business-side-staffers-to-boost-editorial/|title=Newspaper Owner Fires Business Side Staffers to Boost Editorial |publisher=JimRomenesko.com |date = February 4, 2013}}</ref> and sold the paper's longtime building due to the printing operation being outsourced. A one-year subscription costed $79.<ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.palipost.com/subscribe/|title=Subscribe |work=Palisadian-Post }}</ref>
== Personal life == Smolinisky was raised in Pacific Palisades by immigrant parents from Argentina.<ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2013-jan-29-la-me-palisadian-post-20130130-story.html|title=Pacific Palisades newspaper junkie buys his own paper |work=Los Angeles Times |date = January 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smolinisky |first=Alan |date=2019-10-03 |title=How an Immigrant's Son Became a New Los Angeles Dodgers Owner |url=https://time.com/5691252/immigrants-son-los-angeles-dodgers-owner/ |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=TIME |language=en}}</ref> In a 2019 Harvard University talk, Smolinisky described a difficult childhood including being expelled from two schools before the age of 13. From an early age, Smolinisky was a voracious reader of newspapers, financial reports and books about business, and reportedly spends five hours per day reading. He graduated in three years from the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music in 2001.<ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.palipost.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/021206.pdf|title=Why I've Bought the Palisadian-Post |work=Palisadian-Post |date = December 6, 2012}}</ref>
In 2010, Smolinisky married Caroline Sukits from Indiana.<ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2013-jan-29-la-me-palisadian-post-20130130-story.html|title=Pacific Palisades newspaper junkie buys his own paper |work=Los Angeles Times |date = January 29, 2013}}</ref> They have three children. Their son Charlie was named after Charlie Munger.<ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.adweek.com/performance-marketing/pacific-palisades-post-alan-smolinisky-charles-munger-warren-buffett/|title=This Guy Owns a Ferrari, a Bentley and Now...A Local Newspaper |publisher=Media Bistro |date = January 31, 2013}}</ref> In August 2015 at Monterey Car Week, an electric GEM car outfitted as a 1970s Land Rover Defender designed by Smolinisky and pal Sir Lucian Grainge won the award for Rueful Brittania (Best British Car)<ref>{{Cite news| url =https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/news/lemons-in-monterey/|title=Lemons in Monterey |work=Grassroots Motorsports |date = August 17, 2015}}</ref> at the annual Concours d'LeMons.<ref>{{Cite news| url =https://autoweek.com/article/pebble-beach-concours/concours-dlemons-ruins-another-perfectly-good-pebble|title=Concours D'Lemons Ruins Another Perfectly Good Pebble |work=Autoweek |date = August 16, 2015}}</ref>
=== Views and philanthropy === Smolinisky is an advocate for bi-partisan common sense immigration reform pressing for a country that is both welcoming and secure. On August 29, 2022, Smolinisky organized the first-ever naturalization ceremony held at Dodger Stadium. It was the largest ceremony since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 2,119 new citizens from 120 countries were sworn in on the field. In his speech, Smolinisky described his parents' journey as poor immigrants who sacrificed everything to give their children a better life. The speech was later published as an op-ed in USA Today.
Inspired by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates' Giving Pledge, he and his wife created a trust that provides for 90% of their estate to go to charity upon their death. Smolinisky serves on the board of directors of Homeboy Industries, a gang intervention organization founded by Jesuit priest Fr. Gregory Boyle<ref>{{Cite news| url =https://homeboyindustries.org/our-story/our-leaders/|title=Our Leaders |publisher=Homeboy Industries }}</ref> and serves on the board of directors for the LA Dodgers Foundation, the official team charity of the LA Dodgers.<ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/community/foundation/about/team|title=LADF Board Members |publisher=MLB.com }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/community/foundation/about/board-smolinisky|title=LADF Board Members |publisher=MLB.com }}</ref> Smolinisky served on the board of the ACLU<ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.aclusocal.org/sites/default/files/report_1.pdf/|title=2016 Annual Report |publisher=ACLU }}</ref> from 2004 to 2016.<ref>{{Cite news| url =https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2013-jan-29-la-me-palisadian-post-20130130-story.html|title=Pacific Palisades newspaper junkie buys his own paper |work=Los Angeles Times |date = January 29, 2013}}</ref>
==References== <references />
==External links== *[http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/generation-next-alan-smolinisky/article_6e062761-7a35-5962-ad85-f4a9721cb15b.html?mode=story ''LA Downtown News'' 2004 profile] *[https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2013-jan-29-la-me-palisadian-post-20130130-story.html ''Los Angeles Times'' 2013 profile] *[https://www.palipost.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/021206.pdf Why I've Bought the ''Palisadian-Post''] *[https://www.wsj.com/articles/los-angeles-dodgers-add-two-entrepreneurs-to-ownership-team-11568936324 ''The Wall Street Journal'' 2019 Dodgers announcement] *[https://time.com/5691252/immigrants-son-los-angeles-dodgers-owner/ ''Time'' magazine 2019 op-ed] *[https://www.wsj.com/articles/ballgames-arent-the-same-without-crowds-11601843383?mod=opinion_lead_pos10 ''The Wall Street Journal'' 2020 op-ed] *[https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2022/08/30/los-angeles-dodgers-owner-immigrant-father/7903648001/?gnt-cfr=1 ''USA Today'' 2022 op-ed]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smolinisky, Alan}} Category:1979 births Category:Living people Category:Businesspeople from Los Angeles Category:Los Angeles Dodgers executives Category:Los Angeles Dodgers owners Category:Major League Baseball executives Category:People from Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles Category:USC Thornton School of Music alumni Category:21st-century American newspaper publishers (people)