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).
