Mihail Prokhorov, a steady fixture on the New York Haute 100 list earned his spot on said list with a stream of major accomplishments. He’s one of the most powerful Russian business tycoons–both by measures of clout and wealth and, a sports-fanatic, the majority owner of the New Jersey Nets.

Now the Russian billionaire has set an even higher goal by announcing he will challenge Vladimir Putin in next year’s presidential election in Russia. Putin has been in power in Russia for 12 years and is the current frontrunner for the March 2012 election.  We will certainly be keeping an eye on how this Haute Lister’s revelation shakes the race.

In an interview this week on NTV, Prokhorov, who is also the first non-North American to own an NBA team, said he was running for office to stop reckless government policies that will lead to “economic catastrophe.”

Hats off to this Haute Lister on his quest, but perhaps more imminently–best of luck to the NJ Nets on the most anticipated season the NBA has ever seen.