Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment has named David Abrams its new head of investments. HBSE owns the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, and esports organization Dignitas.
Last year, Abrams helped facilitate the merger between HBSE’s Dignitas and Clutch Gaming to form a new esports entertainment company called New Meta Entertainment. He was previously senior managing director for New York-based Cerberus Capital Management, and from 2006 to 2014 he worked as a senior investment professional at London-based Apollo Global Management. In his new role, Abrams will lead the effort to find early-stage startups for HBSE to invest in across sports technology sectors such as sports media, esports, gaming, wellness.
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“Disruptive technologies are creating widespread opportunities, massive access and greater connectivity for athletes and fans around the world. David Abrams, as HBSE’s Head of Investments, will help grow and evolve HBSE’s businesses as we continue to explore new, exciting opportunities,” HBSE co-founder Josh Harris said in a press release.
In 2016, HBSE opened its Sixers Innovation Lab, an accelerator housed in the 76ers’ training complex. HBSE Ventures, the firm’s sports tech venture capital arm, has previously invested in basketball shot analysis app HomeCourt, group ticketing payments platform FEVO, strength training startup Proteus Motion, live streaming audience measurement firm StreamMetrics, and automated highlights company WSC Sports.
