Marc Lasry
Marc Lasry is the Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Avenue Capital Group, a leading global investment firm with approximately $12 billion in assets under management, specializing in distressed debt and alternative investments. Widely regarded as a pioneer in the distressed securities market, Lasry has built his four-decade career exclusively in distressed debt investing and is recognized as one of the foremost financial strategists in this space. Before establishing Avenue Capital, he co-founded Amroc Investments in partnership with the Robert Bass Group, one of the early and most successful distressed investment firms. Beyond finance, Lasry was also a Co-Owner of the Milwaukee Bucks NBA franchise, where he played a pivotal role in the team’s growth and success; in 2023, he reportedly sold a 25% stake in the Bucks when the team was valued at $3.5 billion. In addition to leading Avenue Capital, Lasry serves on the boards and advisory councils of multiple public and private companies, as well as nonprofit organizations, continuing his influence across both the financial industry and philanthropic sectors.
Marc Lasry Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer
Academic History
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J.D., Law
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B.A., History
AVENUE CAPITAL GROUP
Founded in 1995 by Marc Lasry and Sonia Gardner, Avenue Capital Group is a leading global investment firm specializing in distressed debt, undervalued equity, and alternative investments across the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
Under Lasry’s leadership, Avenue has become one of the world’s largest and most respected distressed debt investors, managing billions in assets across multiple strategies.
In recent years, the firm has expanded into new frontiers with the launch of the Avenue Sports Fund, an investment platform dedicated to sports ownership and sports dealmaking, backing early-stage leagues and emerging opportunities in the global sports market.
EARLY CAREER
Before founding Avenue Capital, Lasry held senior roles in restructuring and distressed investing.
He served as Co-Director of the Bankruptcy and Corporate Reorganization Department at Cowen & Company, where he advised on high-profile bankruptcies and corporate turnarounds, and later as Director of the Private Debt Department at Smith Vasiliou Management Company.
Earlier in his career, he practiced bankruptcy law at Angel & Frankel and clerked for the Honorable Edward Ryan, Chief Bankruptcy Judge of the Southern District of New York.
His work at Cowen brought him to the attention of Texas investor Robert Bass, leading to the launch of Amroc Investments, a pioneering distressed investment partnership.
POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT
Lasry is also active in U.S. politics and philanthropy. A long-time Democratic Party supporter, he has raised funds for President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Kamala Harris, whom he supported in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary.
In 2013, he was considered for the position of U.S. Ambassador to France, though he declined for business reasons.
SPORTS OWNERSHIP
Beyond finance, Lasry made a significant impact in professional sports as a Co-Owner of the Milwaukee Bucks NBA franchise.
When he purchased the team in 2014, the Bucks had the worst record in the league; under his leadership, the organization transformed into a championship-caliber team, culminating in the Bucks’ first NBA title in 50 years in 2021.
In 2023, Lasry sold a stake in the franchise at a multibillion-dollar valuation, further cementing his reputation as a savvy investor across industries.
MEDIA PRESENCE
Lasry is a frequent speaker at major global investment events, including the Reuters Global Investment Summit, the SALT Conference, and the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), where he shares insights on distressed securities, global markets, and alternative assets.
His expertise has been featured in leading financial media such as Forbes, Bloomberg, CNBC, The New York Times, Financial Times, and Business Insider.