Josh Harris (businessman)

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Josh Harris
Born1965 (age 55–56)
NationalityAmerican
Other namesJoshua Harris, Joshua J. Harris
Alma materWharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (BS)
Harvard Business School (MBA)
OccupationInvestor, sports team owner
Known forOwner of the New Jersey Devils
Managing partner of the Philadelphia 76ers
Co–founder of Apollo Global Management
Shareholder of Crystal Palace
Spouse(s)Marjorie Harris
Children5

Joshua Harris (born 1965) is a billionaire American private equity investor and philanthropist[1][2][3] who co-founded Apollo Global Management, one of the world's largest alternative investment firms.[4] Harris is the principal owner and managing partner of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League and the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association, and is a general partner in Crystal Palace of the English Premier League.

Bloomberg estimated his net worth to be around US$7.05 billion in July 2021.[5]

Early life and education[]

Harris was born to a Jewish family in 1965[6] and raised in Chevy Chase, Maryland.[7] He attended high school in Washington D.C at The Field School. Harris graduated summa cum laude[8] with a B.S. in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1986,[9][10] and then received his MBA from the Harvard Business School as a Baker Loeb Scholar.[5][11] He wrestled in college.[7]

Financial career[]

He began working in the mergers-and-acquisitions department at Drexel Burnham Lambert in 1986 and worked there for 2 years before leaving to get his MBA at Harvard.[12] After graduating, he initially worked at Blackstone for 2 months before co-founding Apollo Global Management with Leon Black and Marc Rowan in 1990.[13][12]

Harris and Rowan were named Buyout Pros of the Year for 2004 by BuyoutsInsider.com.[14]

In 2008, Harris and his Apollo partners invested $2 billion into LyondellBasell before it filed for bankruptcy in 2009. When Apollo eventually sold their shares in the company in 2013,[15] they realized a paper profit of $9.6 billion, the biggest profit ever from a private equity investment according to Bloomberg.[16]

He is currently one of three managing partners of Apollo, along with Black and Rowan. Harris' role includes oversight of the firm's day-to-day operations.[12] As of July 2020, his estimated net worth was $4.7 billion.[13][17][18][19]

In 2017 Harris met with Trump officials to discuss infrastructure issues. In November of that year, Apollo Global Management loaned $184 million to Kushner Companies. Apollo spokesman Charles V. Zehren stated that Harris was not involved in the decision to loan to Kushner.[20]

As of the end of the third quarter of 2020, Harris and his Apollo partners reported that the firm had $433 billion in assets under management.[21][22][23]

Sports career[]

Philadelphia 76ers[]

Harris and David S. Blitzer of the private equity firm Blackstone Group are the co-founders and managing partners of an investment group, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment[24] that won a $280 million bid for the purchase of the Philadelphia 76ers from Comcast Spectacor in 2011. The other members of the investment group were portfolio manager Art Wrubel, a fellow Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania graduate,[7] as well as former NBA agent and Sacramento Kings executive Jason Levien, former Vail Resorts CEO Adam Aron, Martin J. Geller, David B. Heller, Travis Hennings, James Lassiter, Marc Leder, Michael Rubin, Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith, and Indonesian businessmen Handy Soetedjo & Erick Thohir.[25] Comcast Spectacor and Harris began talks in the summer of 2011. The deal was announced on July 13, 2011.[26] The NBA formally approved the deal on October 13, 2011.[27]

New Jersey Devils[]

On August 15, 2013, it was announced that HBSE, led by Harris and partner Blitzer purchased a majority stake in the New Jersey Devils of the NHL, which includes the rights to operate Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The transaction was reportedly for over $320 million.[28]

Crystal Palace F.C.[]

Harris and Blitzer were rumored to be interested in purchasing Premier League team Aston Villa, following the announcement by Randy Lerner that the club is up for sale.[29] Harris was then further linked in acquiring South London club Crystal Palace, currently of the Premier League.[30] After more than a year of talks, Harris and Blitzer each bought an 18% stake in Crystal Palace in December 2015, matching the stake owned by team chairman Steve Parish and giving the three control of the club.[31][32]

Additional portfolio items[]

Harris and Blitzer, through Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, also own the NBA G League's Delaware Blue Coats, the AHL's Binghamton Devils, esports team Dignitas of New Meta Entertainment,[33][34] sports tech venture capital firm HBSE Ventures,[35] and marketing, hospitality, and event ticketing company Elevate Sports Ventures.[36]

Harris has also expressed interest in buying the first NFL team to be based out of London.[37][38][39] In June 2020, Bloomberg reported that Harris & Blitzer acquired a stake of less than 5% in the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers. As part of this transaction, the two joined the ownership group as passive investors. The stake was not part of their holding company, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment.[40]

Philanthropy[]

Harris and his wife Marjorie co-founded Harris Philanthropies, formerly known as the Harris Family Charitable Foundation,[41][42] in 2014. The foundation’s stated goals are "to uplift communities in need, pioneer solutions and promote education and leadership development."[43]

Harris has supported After-School All-Stars and America SCORES which help low-income youth to combine their love of athletics with academic success.[44]

In August 2020, Harris and his wife gave a $2 million grant to the Bridgespan Group to launch Leading for Impact, a leadership program to serve Philadelphia area nonprofits.[43]

In February 2019, Harris and his wife gave $10 million[45] to his alma mater, Penn’s Wharton School, to establish the Joshua J. Harris Alternative Investments Program. Previously, Harris established the school’s Harris Family Endowed Scholarship.[46] In July 2018, the family’s foundation also donated $1 million to support Penn’s wrestling program.[45]

In 2015, Harris committed to donate $3.5 million over 5 years to the Philadelphia Police Athletic League, a cause committed to helping Philadelphia children. This was the largest gift in the organization’s history.[47]

Personal life[]

Harris is married to Marjorie Harris (née Rubin), they have five children, and live in New York City.[5][48][49][50] Harris sits on the board of Mount Sinai Medical Center,[51] Harvard Business School,[52] and Wharton’s Board of Overseers.[9] In 2013, he was honored by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame with the Outstanding American Award.[53] Harris regularly supports the teams he is involved with by attending games and he trains and runs in marathons.[12]

References[]

  1. ^ Hermann, Adam (February 21, 2019). "Sixers owner Josh Harris gives $10 million to Penn's Wharton School". PhillyVoice.com. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  2. ^ Adeniji, Ade (March 13, 2017). "Here's Another Apollo Global Billionaire To Keep An Eye On". Inside Philanthropy. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  3. ^ "Joshua Harris and Marjorie Rubin". Inside Philanthropy. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  4. ^ "Why Sixers' owner Josh Harris is donating $10M to Wharton". Philadelphia Business Journal. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Bloomberg Billionaires Index: Josh Harris". Bloomberg. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  6. ^ Forbes Israel: Jewish Billionaires - Profile of Joshua Harris April 14, 2013 (in Hebrew)
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b c Philadelphia Inquirer: "Those who know him say Joshua Harris, soon-to-be Sixers owner, lives for competition and success" By Kate Fagan August 2, 2011
  8. ^ Lynn, Carter. "Career businessmen and Wharton alums Josh Harris and Steve Cohen are now sports owners". www.thedp.com. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b Hermann, Adam (February 21, 2019). "Sixers owner Josh Harris gives $10 million to Penn's Wharton School". www.phillyvoice.com. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  10. ^ "Officer Profile | Quotes | Reuters.co.in". in.reuters.com. Retrieved August 17, 2020.[dead link]
  11. ^ Brodsky, Matthew (January 26, 2012). "The Private-Equity Diaries". Wharton Magazine. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Gottfried, Miriam (October 31, 2020). "A $433 Billion Wall Street Giant Has a Reputation Problem. It's Josh Harris's Job to Fix It". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b "Joshua Harris". Forbes. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  14. ^ Meikle, Brad (February 28, 2005). "Buyout Pros of the Year: Josh Harris & Marc Rowan of Apollo -". Buyouts. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  15. ^ Vardi, Nathan. "How One Billionaire's Bet On LyondellBasell Turned Into The Greatest Deal In Wall St. History". Forbes. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  16. ^ Carey, David (June 25, 2013). "Apollo Fueled by $9.6 Billion Profit on Debt Beats Peers". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  17. ^ Abbott, Henry. Sources: 76ers sales talks ongoing. ESPN, June 26, 2011.
  18. ^ DiStefano, Joseph. Would-be Sixers owner Harris' Philly ties. The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 26, 2011.
  19. ^ "Apollo Global Management: Our Team – Joshua Harris". agm.com.
  20. ^ Drucker, Jesse; Kelly, Kate; Protess, Ben (February 28, 2018). "Kushner's Business Got Loans After White House Meetings". The New York Times.
  21. ^ Inc, Apollo Global Management (March 12, 2020). "Apollo Global Management Announces New $500 Million Share Repurchase Authorization". GlobeNewswire News Room. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  22. ^ "Markets 'have become more punitive' for firms that miss earnings targets". The National. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  23. ^ "Apollo Global Management, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results" (PDF). Apollo. October 29, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  24. ^ "Josh Harris: Co-Founder of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, Owner of 76ers & Devils". HBSE. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  25. ^ ESPN: "Group led by Joshua Harris completes purchase of Sixers" Archived October 18, 2013, at the Wayback Machine October 18, 2011
  26. ^ Sale of 76ers to Joshua Harris finished. ESPN, July 13, 2011.
  27. ^ Group led by Joshua Harris completes purchase of 76ers Archived October 18, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Philadelphia 76ers, October 13, 2011.
  28. ^ "Devils announce sale of team to billionaire Josh Harris". The Star-Ledger. August 15, 2013.
  29. ^ Raeburn, Andrew (June 22, 2014). "Who are Villa's possible new owners Harris and Blitzer?". Metro.co.uk.
  30. ^ Brenner, Steve (December 23, 2015). "Joshua Harris's Philadelphia story offers insight to Crystal Palace fans". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  31. ^ "Sixers owner Josh Harris buys into Crystal Palace soccer club". NBC Sports Philadelphia. December 19, 2015. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  32. ^ "Crystal Palace: Deal agreed with US investors Harris and Blitzer". BBC Sport. December 18, 2015. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  33. ^ "David Abrams Named Head of Investments at Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment". www.sporttechie.com. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  34. ^ "HBSE flexing its financial muscle thanks to appointment of head of investments". SportBusiness. February 25, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  35. ^ "76ers owners appoint investment chief for esports and other ventures". VentureBeat. February 25, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  36. ^ "San Francisco 49ers, HBSE and CAA team up to create Elevate Sports Ventures - SportsPro Media". www.sportspromedia.com. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  37. ^ Lawrence, Mitch. "Why Billionaires Josh Harris, David Blitzer Are Dabbling in the Premier League: Think NFL in London". Forbes. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  38. ^ Ballers, Liberty (December 10, 2015). "Report: Josh Harris Wants To Sell Sixers, Put NFL Team In London". www.chatsports.com. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  39. ^ Hofmann, Rich (December 10, 2015). "Report: Josh Harris and David Blitzer want to own NFL team in London, flip Sixers". www.phillyvoice.com. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  40. ^ Schatzker, Erik (June 15, 2020). "76ers Owners Harris and Blitzer Acquire Stake in NFL's Steelers". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  41. ^ "Harris Philanthropies, Inc". OpenCorporates.com. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  42. ^ "Josh Harris: Co-Founder of Harris Philanthropies". Harris Philanthropies. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  43. ^ Jump up to: a b Narducci, Marc (August 12, 2020). "Sixers managing partner Josh Harris is part of a multimillion-dollar donation to help Philadelphia-area nonprofits". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  44. ^ "Joshua Harris". Forbes. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  45. ^ Jump up to: a b Aneja, Anushree. "Wharton receives $10 million from 76ers owner and alum Joshua Harris". www.thedp.com. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  46. ^ Hermann, Adam (February 21, 2019). "Sixers owner Josh Harris gives $10 million to Penn's Wharton School". www.phillyvoice.com. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  47. ^ "Josh Harris to give $3.5 million to PAL of Philadelphia". NBC Sports Philadelphia. August 27, 2015. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  48. ^ Legacy.com: "ALBERT RUBIN" January 5, 2012
  49. ^ Wharton Magazine: "The Private-Equity Diaries" January 26, 2012
  50. ^ Raz, Gali (August 12, 2013). "Joshua Harris Reported Ready To Step In And Save The New Jersey Devils". Jewish Business News.
  51. ^ "Here's Another Apollo Global Billionaire To Keep An Eye On". Inside Philanthropy. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  52. ^ "Josh Harris, W'86". Wharton Global Forum — New York 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  53. ^ "National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum Announces Class of 2013 | National Wrestling Hall of Fame". Retrieved August 17, 2020.

External links[]

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