Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment

Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) is a premier American sports and entertainment holding company founded in 2017 by investors Josh Harris and David Blitzer. The organization serves as the umbrella entity for a diverse portfolio of professional sports franchises, world-class venues, and related business ventures. Headquartered in Camden, New Jersey, its operations span the National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, and the burgeoning esports industry.

Overview

The company functions as a multi-faceted enterprise integrating the ownership and management of major league sports teams with the operation of their associated venues and development of adjacent commercial real estate. Its core philosophy centers on leveraging the synergies between its assets to enhance fan experiences, drive economic growth in its host communities, and build sustainable championship-caliber organizations. This integrated model is exemplified by its flagship properties, the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA and the New Jersey Devils of the NHL, both of which play their home games at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

History

The entity was formally established in 2017, consolidating the sports holdings previously acquired separately by its founders. Josh Harris and his group had purchased the Philadelphia 76ers from Comcast Spectacor in 2011, while David Blitzer was part of the consortium that acquired the New Jersey Devils and operating rights to the Prudential Center in 2013. The merger of these interests under the HBSE banner created a unified management structure. A significant expansion occurred in 2020 when HBSE, through its subsidiary 76ers Operating Company LLC, acquired a majority stake in Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer, which included the Rio Tinto Stadium and associated training facilities.

Holdings and properties

The company's portfolio is anchored by its ownership of the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Devils. Its venue holdings include the full control and operation of the Prudential Center, a premier arena that also hosts concerts, family shows, and college basketball events like the Big East Conference tournament. Through its soccer arm, it oversees Real Salt Lake and its stadium in Sandy, Utah. In esports, HBSE owns Dignitas, a prominent team competing in leagues such as the League of Legends Championship Series. The company also holds a significant interest in the English Football League club Crystal Palace F.C..

Leadership and ownership

The firm is led by its co-founders and managing partners, Josh Harris, a co-founder of Apollo Global Management, and David Blitzer, head of Blackstone's tactical opportunities group. Day-to-day operations for the Philadelphia 76ers are overseen by executives like Daryl Morey, President of Basketball Operations, while the New Jersey Devils are managed by General Manager Tom Fitzgerald. The ownership group for its various properties includes a wide array of influential investors from finance, entertainment, and sports, such as Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Kevin Durant.

Business operations and ventures

Beyond core team operations, HBSE engages in extensive real estate development projects, most notably the proposed 76 Place arena complex in Center City, Philadelphia. Its ventures include HBSE Ventures, which invests in sports technology, media, and consumer brands. The company's corporate partnership division secures major sponsorships with global brands like StubHub, FanDuel, and PepsiCo. Furthermore, it operates a robust content creation and digital media arm, producing original programming and managing social media for its teams to deepen fan engagement across platforms.

Impact and recognition

The organization has been recognized for its innovative business approaches, including the Sixers Innovation Lab for startup incubation. Under its stewardship, the Prudential Center has consistently ranked among the top-grossing arenas globally according to Pollstar. Its commitment to social justice is channeled through the Philadelphia 76ers' and New Jersey Devils' respective community foundations, which focus on education and youth development in Philadelphia and Newark. The company's influence extends to shaping league-wide discussions on topics like sports betting integration and the development of sustainable arena design. Category:Sports companies of the United States Category:Companies based in Camden, New Jersey Category:Sports and entertainment companies