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 | |
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Born | (1972-03-26) 26 March 1972 (age 50) London |
Occupation | Sports administrator, agent, executive |
Citizenship | British |
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]
Rush is married to Caroline with children Ella, an international heptathlete,[19][20] and Johnny, residing in Derbyshire and London.