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Born in Tehran, Iran, the third son of Iranian businessman Mohammed Joorabchian, Joorabchian and his family emigrated from Iran following the fall of the Shah. They went to Great Britain, where his father ran car dealerships. Eventually, Joorabchian was sent to Shiplake College in Oxfordshire for his education. He went on to study chemistry and business studies at Queen Mary, University of London. Joorabchian is understood to have become a multi-millionaire from the sale of his equity company, American Capital. He founded Media Sports Investments in 2004, which he used to take over Brazilian football club Corinthians, in a 10 year deal. After he bought the club, he moved to Brazil and changed the way business was run, as the club had an increased revenue of 500% in the first year. Joorabchian had been linked with a bid for football club West Ham United in August 2006, and said he would make £100m available for buying players if his bid was successful. However, this deal came to an end when he and the club failed to agree on a valuation. Joorabchian resigned as president of MSI in June 2006. His company, MSI, was behind the transfer of Carlos Tévez and Javier Mascherano to West Ham United in August 2006. In September 2006, Joorabchian had again been linked with a take-over of West Ham United. His interest in taking over the club came to an end as he failed to make any offer for the club. Joorabchian had been linked with a move for Fulham in early 2007 and more recently Southampton. Joorabchian hit out at West Ham over Carlos Tévez's move to Manchester United on 12 July 2007 via a statement through MSI, saying "West Ham have consistently provided private assurances while at the same time making contrary statements to the public at large". United could not complete their move for Tévez unless the Premier League were convinced his economic rights were owned by West Ham and not Joorabchian. Joorabchian claimed he and his company held Tévez's economic rights, which West Ham denied, saying the player was registered with them. Joorabchian denied responsibility for the fall of Corinthians to the Brazilian championship's second division, a position supported by the ex-coach of the team, Antônio Lopes. In January 2008 it was reported that he was mounting a £50 million take over bid for Southampton. In 19 August 2008. Joorabchian was a transfer adviser at West Ham United until 2009. |
