 The basketball section of the club alone had a reported budget of €35 million in 2009.In 2011, Thanasis and his brother Pavlos, won the EuroLeague Club Executive of the Year Award.In 2012, Thanasis' nephew, Dimitrios Giannakopoulos, the son of his brother, Pavlos, took over control of Panathinaikos B.C..

Nicknamed as "typhoon" (tifonas) for his emotional character, Giannakopolous was also famous for his multi-coloured neckties with floral patterns.