Mikhail Prokhorov

“No one doing big business can avoid some contact with government agencies, regulators, and policy makers.”

“Nobody was interested in me before I bought the Nets.”

“The government in Russia does not tell me what to do with my assets.”

“Even before my parents died, I felt all the responsibility to my family. I don't know why. In any business, any relationship, if something goes wrong, I feel I am to blame. It's something inside me.”

“I cannot do politics under someone else's control.”

“Sometimes, if I need assistance on the government level, I can appeal through official channels. For example, when I bought the New Jersey Nets, President Medvedev raised the issue with President Obama, who voiced support for the idea, which is always a nice thing to have going for us.”

“I have no plans to have any other home than Moscow. However, I love to travel, and I'm very comfortable in New York. In many ways, it reminds me of Moscow in its energy and drive.”

“I learned from both my parents that you had to be clever.”

“I am addicted to sport. Without sport, I feel bad.”

“Some people say the reason I am not married is that I don't understand small business and the toughest small business in the world is a family. But when you are happy and feel every minute of your life, what is the reason to get married?”