Mark Arena | |
|---|---|
 Arena in February 2025 | |
| Born | 28 September 1984 Perth, Western Australia, Australia |
| Education | Sacred Heart College, Edith Cowan University |
| Occupations |
|
| Known for |
|
Mark Arena (born 28 September 1984 [1] ) is an Australian businessman and cyber security entrepreneur. He co-founded Intel 471 in 2014 and became majority owner of the Perth Wildcats basketball team in 2024.
Arena was born in Perth, Western Australia. [2] He grew up in Greenwood, went to school at Sacred Heart College and then studied software engineering at Edith Cowan University. [3]
Arena started his career as a technical specialist for the Australian Federal Police in Canberra, where he tracked cyber criminals. He later moved to the Netherlands. [3]
In 2014, Arena co-founded Intel 471, [2] a company that tracked criminals and sold intelligence on cyber threats. [3] He moved back to Perth after selling his company in 2023. [2] [3] [4]
In May 2024, MT Arena Capital Investment Property Limited (MTACI) made a non-binding indicative offer for National Basketball League (NBL) club, the Perth Wildcats. [5] In July 2024, Sports Entertainment Group agreed to sell 90% of their 95% shareholder ownership of the Wildcats to Arena at an estimated value of $40 million. [6] [7] [8] On 14 August 2024, Arena officially became the majority owner of the Wildcats after purchasing 52.5 per cent of the club for $21 million. He was set at the time to provide another payment of $15 million in 2026 to receive an extra 37.5 per cent and then buy the entire club in 2028. [9] [10] [11] In January 2026, Arena completed the remaining tranches of his ownership transaction, becoming full owner of the Wildcats. [12] As of January 2026, he was the youngest owner in the league and also the only owner also filling the club's chief executive officer role. [13]
"After nine years and a record-setting 2022, it was the right time to step away from my position as CEO," Mr Arena said at the time. The 39-year old has continued as a director of the business.
