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Key people at Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment.
Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment was founded in 2017 by David Abrams (Co-Founder and Co-Managing Partner).
Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) operates as a diversified holding company managing a global portfolio of premier sports franchises, entertainment brands, and venues. The company’s core activities encompass the ownership and operation of professional sports teams, management of marquee arenas, and the organization and promotion of a wide array of sports and entertainment events. HBSE also delivers integrated services such as ticketing, hospitality, and catering, enhancing the overall event experience for its audiences.
The enterprise was founded by Josh Harris and David Blitzer, who brought together a vision for a comprehensive sports and entertainment entity. Their insight centered on consolidating ownership and management of high-profile assets to create synergistic value across diverse properties, from major league teams to world-class event spaces. This strategic approach positioned HBSE to become a prominent force in the industry by building a vertically integrated model.
HBSE serves a broad audience, including sports fans, concertgoers, and local communities that benefit from its venues and events. The company aims to inspire possibilities in individuals and uplift the communities where it operates, fostering environments for people to live, work, play, and succeed. Its long-term vision emphasizes expanding economic opportunities and leveraging its platform to drive positive societal impact through its extensive reach in sports and entertainment.
Key people at Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment.
Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment was founded in 2017 by David Abrams (Co-Founder and Co-Managing Partner).
Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) is not a technology company; it is a sports and venue management firm founded by Josh Harris and David Blitzer, owning and operating NBA's Philadelphia 76ers, NHL's New Jersey Devils, minor league affiliates like the Delaware Blue Coats and Utica Comets, and venues such as Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.[1][2][3] The company manages events including concerts, esports, and conventions, while emphasizing community enhancement and inclusive sourcing; it also holds stakes in esports (Dignitas via New Meta Entertainment), NASCAR's Joe Gibbs Racing, and ventures like HBSE Ventures (focused on sports tech investments) and the Sixers Innovation Lab.[1][2][4] Valued at $14.58 billion in 2025, HBSE generates revenue through ticketing, hospitality, and operations, with a portfolio blending traditional sports, entertainment, and emerging digital assets.[1][3]
HBSE was formally founded on September 25, 2017, by Josh Harris (co-founder of Apollo Global Management) and David Blitzer (senior Blackstone executive), building on their prior acquisitions: the Philadelphia 76ers in 2011 and the New Jersey Devils plus Prudential Center operating rights in 2013.[1][2][4] Harris serves as Founder and Managing General Partner, overseeing growth into venues like the 76ers Training Complex in Camden, NJ (opened with esports and innovation arms), while Blitzer is Co-Managing Partner and Co-Chairman, extending involvement to esports and international assets like Crystal Palace F.C.[2][4] Key pivots include acquiring Clutch Gaming in 2019 (merging into New Meta Entertainment with Dignitas), developing the 76ers Fieldhouse in 2019, a 2023 stake in Joe Gibbs Racing, and 2025 management of non-NFL events at Northwest Stadium.[1][4][5]
HBSE rides the convergence of sports, entertainment, and technology, particularly esports growth (via Dignitas' global infrastructure in NYC, LA, Europe, China) and sports tech via HBSE Ventures and Sixers Innovation Lab, which incubate analytics, performance tools, and consumer startups amid rising demand for data-driven fan engagement.[2][4][5] Timing aligns with esports' mainstreaming (e.g., NBA 2K League) and venue tech upgrades, bolstered by market forces like digital ticketing, AR/VR experiences, and post-pandemic event surges favoring operators with hybrid sports-entertainment models.[1][3] HBSE influences the ecosystem by investing in and consulting for tech-enabled sports infrastructure, bridging traditional franchises with startups and amplifying minority stakes like Joe Gibbs Racing into broader motorsports tech.[1][4]
HBSE's expansion into a future Philadelphia WNBA team, venue management (e.g., Northwest Stadium), and sports tech ventures positions it for growth in women's sports, immersive fan tech (AI analytics, metaverse events), and global esports as these trends accelerate.[1][3] Influence may evolve through deeper HBSE Ventures deployments and Elevate partnerships, potentially valuing the firm beyond $14.58 billion amid streaming and Web3 integrations in sports entertainment—correcting the tech company misconception underscores its hybrid sports-tech powerhouse status.[1][2]
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1, 2022 | Future | $75.0M Series C | SC Holdings, Trustbridge Partners | 125 Ventures, Astia, Seae Ventures, Supply Change Capital, Thirty Five Ventures, Vista Equity Partners, Baron Davis, Carmelo Anthony (Melo7 Tech Partners), J.J. Watt, Kate Hudson, Oliver Hudson, Rory McIlroy, Endeavor, Harris Blitzer Entertainment, Kleiner Perkins, Optum Ventures, Symphony Ventures |
| Jul 22, 2021 | obé | $15.0M Series A | CAVU Venture Partners | Athleta, Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments, Cassius, Harris Blitzer Entertainment, Ludlow Ventures, Samsung Next, Wheelhouse Entertainment, WW International |
| Dec 3, 2019 | Proteus Motion | $3.8M Other Equity | Harris Blitzer Entertainment | Chris Capuano, David Winfield, Dick Boyce, John Kosner, Hospital for Special Surgery, Makers Boot Camp |
| Sep 26, 2019 | Dignitas | $30.0M Series A | — | Steven Rifkind, Delaware North, Fertitta Entertainment, Harris Blitzer Entertainment, Susquehanna Private Equity Investments |
