If you’ve spent five minutes searching for david kaplan net worth, you probably feel like you’re staring at a broken compass. One site says he’s worth a few hundred thousand, another claims he’s a multi-billionaire, and a third talks about his coffee company.
Honestly, the internet is terrible at distinguishing between different people with the same name.
There isn't just one David Kaplan. There are at least four prominent ones, and their bank accounts look nothing alike. To get a real answer, we have to figure out which "Kap" you’re actually looking for. Is it the Chicago sports legend? The private equity titan? Or the guy who revolutionized the New York cocktail scene?
The Ares Management Titan: David B. Kaplan
When people talk about a billionaire David Kaplan, they are referring to David B. Kaplan, the co-founder of Ares Management Corp. This is the "heavy hitter" in the financial world.
As of early 2026, his financial footprint is massive. According to recent SEC filings and market trackers like GuruFocus, David B. Kaplan's net worth is estimated to be approximately $2.3 billion.
Most of this wealth is tied directly to Ares Management (ARES). He owns over 1 million shares of the company. If you track his insider trading activity, you’ll see he’s been consistently selling off blocks of shares—sometimes $5 million at a time—but his remaining stake still keeps him firmly in the billionaire category. He also sits on the boards of major companies like Floor & Decor. This David Kaplan isn't calling into sports radio; he's moving markets in Los Angeles.
The Voice of Chicago: David "Kap" Kaplan
For those in the Midwest, david kaplan net worth usually refers to the three-time Emmy award-winning sportscaster. If you’ve listened to ESPN 1000 or watched NBC Sports Chicago, you know "Kap."
He’s had a 30-year career that would make any journalist jealous. We're talking 25 seasons covering the Cubs and a best-selling book, The Plan, about the 2016 World Series. While he doesn't have "Ares Management money," he has done exceptionally well for a media personality.
Kaplan’s income streams are varied:
- Radio/TV Contracts: High-profile hosts in top-3 markets like Chicago often command salaries between $200,000 and $500,000 annually.
- The REKAP YouTube Channel: Since leaving NBC Sports Chicago in 2022, he has heavily monetized his digital presence.
- Endorsements: You’ve likely heard him promoting Abt Electronics, Lou Malnati’s, or Chicagoland Chevy Dealers.
- Book Royalties: The Plan was a genuine hit in a city obsessed with the Cubs.
Estimating a media personality's net worth is tricky because their assets aren't public like a CEO's. However, based on his decades in a major market and his entrepreneurial pivot to YouTube, his net worth likely sits in the $2 million to $5 million range.
The Hospitality Visionary: Death & Co’s David Kaplan
Then there is the David Kaplan who changed how we drink. He founded the legendary bar Death & Co in the East Village. If you are searching for him, you are looking at the hospitality and "alternative investment" side of things.
His company, Gin & Luck, has been expanding rapidly. In late 2025, reports indicated that Death & Co was raising capital at a $58.5 million valuation. While he doesn't personally own that entire $58 million, his founder's equity in a global hospitality brand makes him a very wealthy man. His net worth is likely in the high seven figures, especially as the brand eyes a potential exit or acquisition in the next few years.
Why Most People Get the Numbers Wrong
The "Google Snippet" often fails because it merges these three lives into one weird biography. You might see a photo of the Chicago sportscaster next to the net worth of the Ares billionaire. It’s a mess.
To be clear:
- The Billionaire: David B. Kaplan (Finance/Ares Management) - $2.3 Billion.
- The Sportscaster: David "Kap" Kaplan (Chicago Media) - ~$3-5 Million.
- The Entrepreneur: David Kaplan (Death & Co/Hospitality) - Equity in a $60M company.
What Really Matters for the Sportscaster's Future
If you're following the Chicago "Kap," his net worth trajectory is currently tied to "The REKAP." Moving away from traditional TV to own your own content is the "new money" play in media. By controlling his own sponsorships and YouTube revenue, he's likely making more per hour than he ever did under a corporate contract at NBC.
Basically, he's betting on himself. In a world where local sports networks are struggling, owning your audience is the safest financial move a broadcaster can make.
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If you are trying to estimate David Kaplan's wealth for a business deal or just out of curiosity, always double-check the middle initial and the industry. Don't let a stray Google result convince you that a radio host is buying a private island, or that a billionaire is doing ads for deep-dish pizza.
Check the SEC Form 4 filings if you're looking for the Ares co-founder, or keep an eye on YouTube subscriber counts if you're tracking the broadcaster's growth.
Next Steps for You:
If you're tracking the Chicago David Kaplan's growth, watch his YouTube "REKAP" subscriber milestones; he often announces new sponsorship deals when hitting targets like 20,000 subscribers, which directly impacts his annual revenue. For those interested in the financial David Kaplan, monitor the ARES stock price, as his net worth fluctuates by millions of dollars based on even a 1% shift in their share price.