Introducing Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment

Over the last fouryears, under the leadership, guidance and friendship of Josh Harris and David Blitzer, the New Jersey Devils, Prudential Center and the Philadelphia 76ers have achieved unprecedented growth that has reversed and disproved the age-old belief in our industry that business declines when teamsare rebuilding. As a result of the growth we’ve achieved, we’ve garnered the attention of the sports industry and often found the eyes of the world resting on our teams and properties and for good reason.

Our strategy has been simple and consistent from the beginning: build the most incredible places to work by committing to core values and a vision that attracts the most character-driven and talented people in the world. Our collective focus has been developing leaders personally and professionally; we engage and challenge each other to learn, grow, and stretch. Together, we set out to make the world a better place by using the platform of sports and entertainment to influence the hearts and minds of the communities where welive, work, and play. 

Often, in moments of success, organizations simply elect to keep doing what they are doing.

“Why change when things are going well?” That's not how we think.

(“Unless, of course, it’s ‘Opposite Day’ Dad,” my ten-year-oldEliza is reminding me as I write this.)   

We prefer to think differently. We prefer to believe that if you aren’t improving, changing or growing - you are dying. We don’t simply want the foresight to see around corners,we want to be around the corner and a block ahead when others reach the starting blocks. We aren’t afraid to be first, we aren’t afraid to stumble a little as we learn and grow. (This, we have alsomastered.) We are continually seeking opportunities to further expand our businesses and positively impact the landscape of sports and the communities we serve.

So, when everyone else is peering through the windows, our group - from David and Josh, to the entry-level Account Executive - drive us to explore, drive, innovate and do. BE the first North American professional sports team to acquire an esports franchise, Team Dignitas; dive head-first into adynamic new eco system, with “Palms-Up” and ears open. BUILD the largest and most technically advanced training complex in the NBA. (And createa business operations facility to match, so your front office employees canshoot hoops after work or hold a meeting on a rooftop lounge overlooking the city of Philadelphia.) INVEST in the future business leaders of tomorrow with atrue Innovation Lab run by a sports industry icon. COMMIT to over 25,000 hours of community service annually to the communities where your fans live, work and play.  DARE to venture that the only GRAMMY Museum Experience on the East Coast belongs in Newark, N.J. at the Prudential Center, and not in the heart of New York City.

We know that achieving our true potential will only happen as one team, nota collection of teams. “Business as usual” will not help us achieve the results we desire, nor will it enable us to grow. We’ve reached an important tipping point – we must redefine and streamline our decision-making,accelerate our efforts, be crystal clear on our priorities and the allocation of our resources. We must choose the right partners for the right opportunities.

With that said, it is my pleasure to introduce you to our new company, Harris Blitzer Sports &Entertainment (HBSE); created with the purpose of redefining our collection of dynamic teams and entertainmentproperties into one comprehensive body, with shared resources and priorities and with the goal of continuing to grow and acquire other like-properties.

We are inspired and empowered by our leadership, by progressive thinkers and business industry innovators Josh Harris and David Blitzer. We are led by the most talented, hardworking and authentic executives in the industry today – our newly appointed President of HBSE, as well as the New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center, Hugh Weber; Philadelphia 76ers President of Business Operations Chris Heck; NBA legend and 25-year Philadelphia 76ers senior executive, Chief Operating Officer Lara Price; New Jersey Devils Senior Vice President of Business Services Donna Daniels; Adam Davis; Jake Reynolds; Katie O’Reilly; Tyneeha Rivers; Dave Sholler – the list is as impressive as it islong.  Foremost, we are driven by our employees, my co-workers, the beating heart of our organization.

This will be an organization committed to growth and dedicated to making the world abetter place by leveraging the power of our brands and the responsibility there in.

What is next for HBSE? There are several deals in the pipeline; a trend Iexpect to continue.

Now comes the fun part. Finding innovative partners with whom to work and building exceptional new businesses together.

Perhaps we will have the opportunity to work with you, someday.