Menu
People and Pop Culture

Devils' Harris, Blitzer Lead List Of Most Influential Sports Figures In New Jersey

Devils and 76ers co-Owners JOSH HARRIS and DAVID BLITZER are "the most influential people in New Jersey sports, for turning around" the Devils' financial situation and "investing back into the struggling NHL franchise," according to Steve Politi of the Newark STAR-LEDGER. The duo top the paper's annual Juice List because of what they are "planning to do with the team, from transforming the fan experience to investing in new ways to improve hockey operations, and how they hope that their investment has a lasting impact on the growth of the franchise's home city itself." Harris and Blitzer in one year of ownership have "stabilized the business side of the franchise" and "changed nearly everything about the Prudential Center experience." They have also "repaired the contentious relationship with Newark leadership that festered under previous ownership" and "invested in the city" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 8/17).

MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY SPORTS
RANK
NAME TITLE
1
Josh Harris & David Blitzer Devils, 76ers co-Owners
2
John Mara Giants President & CEO
3
Chris Christie Governor
4
Greg Brown Rutgers BOG Chair
5
Lou Lamoriello Devils President, CEO & GM
6
Tom Coughlin Giants coach
7
Jim Delany Big Ten Commissioner
8
Woody Johnson Jets Owner
9
Tim Howard U.S. men's national team G
10
Eli Manning Giants QB
11
Steve Timko NJSIAA Exec Dir
12
Bob Hurley St. Anthony (HS) basketball coach
13
Scott O'Neil Devils & 76ers CEO
14
Julie Hermann Rutgers AD
15
Rex Ryan Jets coach
16
Kyle Flood Rutgers football coach
17
Jerry Reese Giants GM
18
Jeff Gural Meadowlands Racetrack operator
19
Kevin Willard Seton Hall men's basketball coach
20
Eric LeGrand Paralyzed former Rutgers football player
21
Muhammad Wilkerson Jets DE
22
C. Vivian Stringer Rutgers women's basketball coach
23
Isaiah Briscoe Roselle Catholic (HS) basketball G
24
James Franklin Penn State football coach
25
Chris Partridge Paramus Catholic (HS) football coach
     

STAYING POWER: In New Jersey, John Brennan wrote Devils fans "should get used to" Harris and Blitzer owning the team. Blitzer said, "Having been lucky enough to actually invest in a team, let alone in my home state in a sport that I love, why would you ever sell that? Literally, ever. The team happens to mostly be in a trust for my kids and my grandkids, but I think Josh and I both think pretty clearly that we would never sell." Blitzer added that he and Harris took over the Prudential Center as well as buying the team "because of the quality of the North Jersey demographic audience." He said, "I think the Prudential Center should make a lot of money over time." Harris and Blitzer also bought the 76ers last year. Asked whether the NBA team might relocate to the Prudential Center, Blitzer said, "I don’t see it, I really don’t. I don’t think (the NBA) would allow another team in this (metropolitan area) marketplace." Blitzer said of the walk from Newark Penn Station to the Prudential Center, "There should be more there -- more retail, more restaurants, more condos" (NORTHJERSEY.com, 8/16).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 18, 2024

Sports Business Awards nominees unveiled; NWSL's historic opening weekend and takeaways from CFP deal

ESPN’s Jay Bilas, BTN’s Meghan McKeown, and a deep dive into AppleTV+’s The Dynasty

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast from the New York Post and Sports Business Journal, ESPN’s Jay Bilas talks all things NCAA. Big Ten Network’s Meghan McKeown shares her insight into the Caitlin Clark craze. The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn chats all things Bean Town. And SBJ’s Xavier Hunter drops in to share his findings on how the NWSL is making a social media push.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2014/08/18/People-and-Pop-Culture/Harris-Blitzer-Juice-List.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2014/08/18/People-and-Pop-Culture/Harris-Blitzer-Juice-List.aspx

CLOSE