Early Life and Education
Joseph Steven Lacob was born on January 10, 1956, in New Bedford, Massachusetts. His family later moved to Anaheim, California, where he developed a lifelong passion for basketball, supporting the Los Angeles Lakers.
Lacob earned a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine, a Master's in Public Health (Epidemiology) from UCLA, and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. He credits his Master's degree in Epidemiology with providing him a background in statistics that helped drive his passion for sports.
Rise to Success
Lacob began his professional career in the healthcare sector before joining the venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins in 1987. As a partner at Kleiner Perkins, he led investments in over 50 startup companies in life sciences, medical technology, internet, and energy sectors.
In 2010, Lacob led an ownership group that purchased the Golden State Warriors for $450 million. He sold his minority interest in the Boston Celtics to purchase the Warriors. Under his leadership, the Warriors have become one of the most successful franchises in the NBA.
Key Business Strategies
Lacob's business strategy emphasizes innovation and building a championship organization. This approach has translated to success in sports, including multiple NBA championships. Lacob has overseen significant improvements to the Warriors franchise, including the construction of the Chase Center arena.
Lacob is known for his hands-on approach to the team's management, implementing new technologies and analytics to transform the fan experience.
Philanthropy
Lacob's philanthropic efforts focus on education and community development, primarily through the Warriors Community Foundation. Since 2012, the foundation has delivered over $52 million in grants to support education, health, and youth development in the Bay Area. His wife, Nicole Curran, oversees the Warriors Community Foundation.