Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Josh Harris (businessman)

How Josh Harris (businessman) built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Josh Harris is an American businessman primarily known for his investments and ownership stakes in various professional sports teams. He co-founded Apollo Global Management, a private equity firm, but left in 2022. His primary focus is now Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, a holding company he co-founded to manage his sports properties. He is the managing partner of the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), the New Jersey Devils (NHL), and the Washington Commanders (NFL). Additionally, he holds a stake in Crystal Palace, an English football club, and a minority stake in Joe Gibbs Racing.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1983: Managed Lemonade Stand

During the summer vacation of 1983, Josh Harris managed operations of a lemonade stand business with locations at the National Zoo and Farragut North station in Washington, D.C.

1984: Managed Lemonade Stand

During the summer vacation of 1984, Josh Harris managed operations of a lemonade stand business with locations at the National Zoo and Farragut North station in Washington, D.C.

1986: Joined Drexel Burnham Lambert

In 1986, Josh Harris relocated to New York City to work as a mergers and acquisitions analyst at the Wall Street investment bank Drexel Burnham Lambert.

1990: Received MBA from Harvard and Founded Apollo Global Management

In 1990, Josh Harris received a Master of Business Administration degree (MBA) as a Baker Loeb Scholar from Harvard Business School and established the private equity firm Apollo Global Management with former Drexel partners Leon Black and Marc Rowan.

2008: Began Contemplating Investing in Sports

In 2008, Josh Harris began contemplating investing in sports after meeting senior Blackstone executive David Blitzer while working in London.

2008: Invested in LyondellBasell

In 2008, Josh Harris led a $2 billion investment into the multinational chemical company LyondellBasell.

2011: Acquired the Philadelphia 76ers

In 2011, Josh Harris led independent groups that acquired the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA).

November 2013: Sold LyondellBasell Investment

In November 2013, Josh Harris sold his investment in LyondellBasell for a profit of $9.6 billion, one of the largest gains in private equity history.

2013: The Process Began

During the 2013-14 season, the 76ers went 19-63.

2013: Bought the New Jersey Devils

In 2013, Josh Harris and David Blitzer bought the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL) for $320 million.

2014: 76ers Record

During the 2014-15 season, the 76ers went 18-64.

2014: Founding of Harris Philanthropies

In 2014, Josh Harris and his wife founded Harris Philanthropies, a nonprofit organization based in New York City.

December 2015: Hired Jerry Colangelo as Team Chairman

In December 2015, Josh Harris agreed to a suggestion by Adam Silver to hire Jerry Colangelo, former owner of the Phoenix Suns, as team chairman.

December 2015: Bought Stake in Crystal Palace

In December 2015, Josh Harris bought an 18% stake in the English football club Crystal Palace.

2015: Establishment of Harris Center for Precision Wellness

In 2015, Josh Harris established the $5 million Harris Center for Precision Wellness at New York's Icahn Genomics Institute.

April 2016: Hinkie Stepped Down

In April 2016, Sam Hinkie stepped down as general manager of the 76ers.

September 2016: Bought Esports Organizations

In September 2016, Josh Harris and David Blitzer bought the esports organizations Dignitas and Apex Gaming through the 76ers and merged them under the Dignitas brand.

2016: Partnership with After-School All-Stars

Since 2016, Josh Harris has partnered with After-School All-Stars, providing a $1 million grant for six schools in Newark, Philadelphia, and Camden.

September 2017: Founded Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment

In September 2017, Josh Harris and David Blitzer founded Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) to consolidate their sports ventures.

2017: NBA Postseason Appearances

Starting with the 2017–18 season, the Philadelphia 76ers made five straight postseason appearances.

2017: Advised Trump Administration and Apollo Loan to Kushner Companies

Throughout 2017, Josh Harris met with senior Trump administration advisor Jared Kushner to advise with infrastructure policy, with a potential White House job being discussed prior to Apollo loaning $184 million to Kushner's private real estate firm Kushner Companies.

June 2020: Bought Stake in Pittsburgh Steelers

In June 2020, Josh Harris and David Blitzer bought a combined $140 million stake in the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL).

2020: Charitable Donations

Between 2015 and 2020, Josh Harris donated a total of $3.5 million to the Philadelphia Police Athletic League chapter, $648,950 to the Republican Party, and $190,150 to the Democratic Party.

2020: COVID-19 Pandemic Donations and Racial Injustice Commitment

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Josh Harris donated over $7 million worth of food and medical supplies to Philadelphia-based groups and organizations. Furthermore, through HBSE, he committed $20 million to fight racial injustice following the George Floyd protests and donated $2 million to The Bridgespan Group to expand their nonprofit programs in Philadelphia and Camden.

May 2021: Stepped Down from Apollo Responsibilities

In May 2021, Josh Harris announced he was stepping down from his day-to-day responsibilities at Apollo after being passed over as CEO for Marc Rowan.

August 2021: HRS Management Sold Stake in The Hill

In August 2021, HRS Management, Josh Harris' family office, sold its stake in the American political newspaper "The Hill" to Nexstar Media Group.

January 2022: Stepped Down as Senior Managing Director at Apollo

In January 2022, Josh Harris stepped down as senior managing director at Apollo, remaining on their board of directors until his term ended in October.

September 2022: Founded 26North

In September 2022, Josh Harris founded the alternative asset firm 26North, hiring former Brookfield Asset Management, Lehman Brothers, and Goldman Sachs executives as partners.

2022: Establishment of Harris Family Fund and Donations

In 2022, Josh Harris established the $5 million Harris Family Fund for Sports Management and Alternative Investments program at Harvard Business School. He also donated to the Reform Alliance, several Philadelphia-area homeless shelters, mobile cancer clinics at the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine, $1 million to Fund for Health, and another million to Penn Med to promote student diversity in clinical medicine and biomedical research.

2022: Founded 26North and Left Apollo

In 2022, Josh Harris founded the alternative assets firm 26North and left Apollo.

2022: Pursued Bids for Chelsea and the New York Mets

In 2022, Josh Harris headed a group that pursued a bid to purchase Chelsea of the Premier League and pursued a bid for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB).

2022: Invested in Mosaic Development Partners and Formed Joint Venture

In 2022, Josh Harris invested $10 million in the Philadelphia-based real estate company Mosaic Development Partners and formed a joint venture with Canvas Property Group through HMS Management.

2023: Explored Buying Stakes in Manchester United

In 2023, Josh Harris and David Blitzer explored buying stakes in the English football club Manchester United.

2023: Contributed to Startup Fund for The Messenger

In 2023, Josh Harris and investors Mark Penn, James Tisch, and Thomas Peterffy contributed $50 million to a startup fund for The Messenger, a now defunct American news website.

2023: Purchased Washington Commanders

In 2023, Josh Harris headed a group that purchased the NFL's Washington Commanders and Northwest Stadium from Daniel Snyder for $6.05 billion.

2023: 76ers Valued

In 2023, the 76ers were valued at $4.13 billion by Sportico.

March 2024: Formed Unrivaled Sports

In March 2024, Josh Harris and David Blitzer formed Unrivaled Sports as a parent company with capital from The Chernin Group, invested in youth sports brands.