Samuel John Rush (born 26 March 1972 in London) is an English sports administrator, agent and executive who was chief executive at Derby County for almost five years.

Samuel Rush
Born (1972-03-26) 26 March 1972 (age 52)
London
OccupationSports administrator, agent, executive
CitizenshipBritish

Career

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A former rugby union player who scored for Oxford University against a Major Stanley's XV,[1] and in front of 71,000 supporters at Twickenham in the 1995 Varsity Match, Rush had spells with Nottingham, Rugby Lions and Saracens.

Rush is a qualified solicitor who began his career at city law firms SJ Berwin,[2] and Bird and Bird.

Rush was the chief operating officer at SFX Sports Group which was acquired for an undisclosed sum in November 2006 by Wasserman Media Group,[2] where he then became president of international business at.[3] In November 2010 he was named the third most influential sports lawyer by Sports Business International magazine.[4] He has also been named as one of the top 50 most influential people in sport by the Times newspaper.[5]

During his career Rush represented David Beckham, including handling his transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2003.[6]

Rush was appointed as the president and chief executive of Derby County in September 2012,[7] starting the role officially in January 2013.[8]

In November 2014 he was named FC Business Championship chief executive of the year.[9] In October 2015, he signed a new five-year contract at Derby.[10] Chairman Mel Morris stated: “Rush is a big reason for the turnaround in the football club and a main for reason for me having joined the club”.

During his time at the club Derby reached the play-offs final in 2014 and the play-off semi-finals in 2016, and he was described by manager Steve McClaren as “the glue that holds the club together”.[11]

In May 2017 Rush left Derby with both parties later issuing claims for breach of contract.[12] In March 2018 an employment tribunal found that Rush had been unfairly dismissed by Derby County.[13] In October 2019, Derby County issued a statement saying the two parties had settled their respective differences on agreed terms.[14][15]

Rush is now chief executive and director at the sports agency 366 Group.[16]

Rush has also held long term roles as a board member of the Amateur Boxing Association[17] and as Treasurer of the British Association for Sport and Law.[18]

Personal life

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Rush is married to Caroline with children Ella, an international heptathlete,[19][20] and Johnny, residing in Derbyshire and London. His son Johnny is a Gibraltar U21 international footballer.

References

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  1. ^ "Stanley's exploit explosive start". The Independent. 16 November 1995.
  2. ^ a b "Wasserman set to dominate football with SFX acquisition". Campaign.
  3. ^ "Wasserman Media Group expands into Europe". Golf Business News.
  4. ^ "Bob Mitchell named 2010's most influential sports lawyer". SportBusiness. 1 November 2010.
  5. ^ "The Sporting Power 100: 59 to 40". The Times.
  6. ^ "Ex-Bird & Bird lawyer lands Beckham deal". The Lawyer. 22 June 2003.
  7. ^ "Sam Rush Leaves Wasserman Media Group To Become Derby County CEO". Sports Business Daily.
  8. ^ "Derby County appoint Sam Rush as new president and chief executive officer". Sky Sports.
  9. ^ "Derby Countys Sam Rush Wins The FC Business Chief Executive Of The Year Award". Derby County F.C. Reserves and Academy.
  10. ^ "Sam Rush: Derby County chief executive signs long-term deal". BBC Sport. 28 October 2015.
  11. ^ "Derby County: Sam Rush is 'glue' that binds club - Steve McClaren". BBC Sport. 7 November 2014.
  12. ^ "Derby County sue former club president Sam Rush for £6.8 million". Derby Telegraph. 28 March 2018.
  13. ^ "Employment Tribunal finds Keystone client Sam Rush was "unfairly dismissed" by Derby County". Keystone Law.
  14. ^ "Derby County issue statement on former chief executive Sam Rush". Derby Telegraph. 29 October 2018.
  15. ^ "Derby County: Championship club 'settle differences' with former chief executive Sam Rush". BBC Sport. 29 October 2018.
  16. ^ Cross, John (26 March 2020). "Top agent Colin Gordon claims football business is "horrific" and "needs reset"". Daily Mirror.
  17. ^ Byrne, Paul (15 July 2008). "Steven Gerrard & pals join campaign to keep knives off the streets". Daily Mirror.
  18. ^ "Volume 18, Issue 2" (PDF). www.britishsportslaw.com.
  19. ^ "Ella RUSH | Profile". www.worldathletics.org.
  20. ^ "Athlete Profile". www.thepowerof10.info.