Sports Direct's Mike Ashley to hand reins to future son-in-law Published image sourcePA Media image captionMike Ashley's Frasers Group owns Sports Direct, House of Fraser, and several other retail brands Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley is to step down from leading his retail empire and hand the reins to his future son-in-law. The board of Frasers Group, which also owns House of Fraser, said talks were under way for Michael Murray, 31, to succeed the billionaire on 1 May 2022. The move would see Mr Ashley step down as chief executive but remain on the board as an executive director. Mr Ashley founded Sports Direct in 1982 and retains 64% of the group.