Influence 125 highlights the most influential sports business figures of the past quarter-century. See the list.

The co-founder of private equity giant Apollo Global Management, Josh Harris was among the first in a trend of financial executives acquiring pro teams when he and David Blitzer bought the Philadelphia 76ers in 2011. Their Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment has since added the New Jersey Devils and Crystal Palace F.C., among other sports holdings, while the pair has separately backed leading youth sports roll-up Unrivaled. But Harris has had no greater influence than in leading the acquisition of the Washington Commanders for a then-record $6 billion in 2023. That deal led to a complete overhaul of the franchise, set a new floor for NFL team transactions and is now driving plans for a nearly $4 billion stadium.

More from the SBJ archives

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The Shelby Area Chamber of Commerce has created its own local currency to encourage residents to shop at hometown businesses and keep money circulating within the community.

“These chamber bucks are our own currency. We print them up just like Monopoly money,” said Shane Adams, executive director of the Shelby Area Chamber of Commerce. “People come and buy them from me, and then they’ll either give them as gifts, as a bonus or whatever. To whoever, and then they’ll spend it locally within our community.”

Justin Robicheau reports – watch the video:

Shelby Chamber Bucks program helps keep money in the community

“These businesses are the ones that support our community, like the youth sports programs,” Adams said. “These businesses will sponsor their teams to help them have these activities for our community. These bigger businesses that are like online and such, they won’t do that. Our local will support our local people.”

Timothy Moylan, owner of Ace Hardware Shelby Paint and Hardware, said the chamber bucks helps small businesses compete with online retailers.

“A lot of these small businesses are struggling these days, you know, with the Amazon online and all that,” Moylan said. “And we want to keep them going. It helps the communities stay alive, keeps the Main Street businesses alive.”

“It’s really brought a lot more business to our stores,” Moylan said. “And I’m sure other businesses can say the same about people keeping it local and strong. You know, keep these smaller communities alive and with the businesses that you’re here in town, it just it supports them really well.”

“It brings the community together and make sure that they keep the money here in town for the smaller businesses,” Moylan said. “And I think it adds to the businesses it keeps in communication with each other.”

★ The Sports Examiner is delighted to present this important contribution from our patron, the LA84 Foundation, a national leader in the role of sports in positive youth development. Opinions expressed are those of the LA84 Foundation. ★

The LA84 Foundation has opened its large grant cycle until December 19 to receive Letters of Interest. The Large Grant Cycle is for grants $25,000 and above for organizations in Southern California with youth programs that promote the exposure and exploration of sports. Selected organizations will be invited to complete a full application.

As a legacy of the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, for over four decades the LA84 Foundation has supported youth programs in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.

By expanding access to sport, play and movement, the LA84 Foundation is committed to transforming communities through play equity by increasing access to youth sports. Small Grants are open year-round, ranging from $5,000-25,000. Visit LA84’s Grants Page to access its Grant Guidelines for an overview of the criteria, and to apply.

The LA84 Foundation recently announced that 19 organizations across Southern California had received $1,781,000 in grant awards. The recipients provide school-based and community youth sports programs in six counties – L.A., Riverside, Orange, Imperial, Santa Barbara and Ventura.

The majority of the latest grant awards focus on communities where issues such as cost, transportation, safety and lack of facilities often prevent kids from experiencing the lifelong benefits of sport and play that can lead to an enriched life.

“These grants focus on access, belonging, and possibility,” said Renata Simril, President & CEO of the LA84 Foundation. “From Boyle Heights to Compton, from Imperial County to the Inland Empire, we are investing in coaches, providing safe places to play, and supporting inclusive programs that help youth succeed both in school and in life.”

All 19 grants shared the common goal of closing the play equity gap. The grant docket emphasized supporting a community pipeline by meeting kids where they are and providing inclusive coaching, safe facilities, and accessible environments with physical activity that nurture growth.

Compton Unified was among the recent grantees. CUSD received funding to expand its free after-school sports to 25 campuses, as well as eliminate fees and transportation barriers for elementary and middle school students. The grant from LA84 offsets key program expenses, including stipends for coaches, staff training, equipment, and uniforms.

CUSD students gain access to sports fundamentals in after-school enrichment, ongoing training, as well as leagues in flag football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball, and track & field against other CUSD schools. At least 1,700 Compton students will benefit from this investment.

Variety Boys & Girls Club in Boyle Heights and P.F. Bresee Foundation in Central LA will expand their year-round leagues for youth at no cost to families after the latest LA84 grants.

“Every child deserves access to safe spaces where they can engage in athletic activities with their peers that build confidence and healthy habits,” said Patricia Siqueiros, Executive Director of Variety Boys & Girls Club (VBGC). “It is an investment in a healthier and more equitable future for our community’s youth.”

Throughout the year, 900 of Variety’s members join organized teams in baseball, softball, flag football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, or swimming. The club also has a comprehensive aquatic program, using an onsite four-lane pool.

Support for the P.F. Bresee Foundation will go toward the Bresee Athletics League, engaging middle and high school students through leagues offering futsal, soccer, basketball, and volleyball in Central L.A. More than 325 youth benefit from this investment.

Students Run LA will expand its Female Ambassador Program and provide sports bras and health products to support retention and well-being. Girls on the Run Riverside will add teams and coach stipends to maintain program quality.

LA84 is committed to supporting youth events that promote the ideals of Olympism. The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles’ Crenshaw Classic Track & Field Youth Initiative offers free, certified competitions in South L.A. and Inglewood, connecting youth with Olympians and college mentors. The grant will benefit over 500 youth. The program consists of track & field training over two 8-week seasons in 15 local schools, with mentorship from Olympians and college athletes.

It culminates in the Crenshaw Classic track meet, a no-cost certified competition with official times and rankings that celebrates the heritage of South L.A. and Inglewood.

To reach rural youth, an LA84 grant will expand access to AYSO’s expansion of its PLAY! model in Imperial County for its clinics, coach training, and no- to low-cost soccer. This investment is expected to benefit 1,000 Imperial County youth.

“With LA84’s support, AYSO PLAY! will train local leaders and engage over 1,000 kids in Imperial County at no cost, building a foundation for sustainable, low-cost soccer programs in the years ahead,” said Blane Shepard, AYSO National Director of Community Engagement & Business Development.

LA84’s fall grant docket reached girls (45%) and boys (55%), with participation from Latino (43%), White (35%), Black/African American (8%), Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (5%), Asian (4%), and other/multiracial youth. It supports a diverse sports ecosystem spanning running, track & field, soccer, squash, skateboarding, and multi-sport/learn-to-play programs.

“Play unlocks possibility,” said Simril. “These LA84 Foundation grants strengthen the coaches, spaces, and community bonds that help young people build healthy bodies, resilient minds, and the confidence to lead.”

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★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★

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The Rebels Lacrosse Club — a prominent Long Island youth program — sent an email to families last week that said it was forced to file for bankruptcy and would be shutting down.

Rebels Lacrosse has 21 boys teams and six girls teams on Long Island and has training programs starting at age 3, according to its websites. Rebels Lacrosse and Blatant National, a national youth program that is also shutting down, are both under the Blatant Athletics umbrella.

“This decision is the result of circumstances we never could have imagined,” the email said. “Despite our best efforts to keep the program running and despite years of successful seasons, we have experienced significant financial challenges that have now become insurmountable. We have been advised by counsel that we are required to file for bankruptcy.”

Blatant Lacrosse is owned by Mike Brennan and Joe Potenza. Brennan is also listed as the CEO and owner of Rebels Lacrosse. 

“We never had any intention of shutting down our business after 15 years, as we were currently in the middle of our 8th season with Rebels Lacrosse,” Brennan said in a statement to Newsday. “We have received an outpouring of support from former athletes, parents, and those who truly know us best. … and are truly grateful for that.

“The past several days have been extremely difficult on our Rebels families and players, ourselves, and even moreso on our young families who have always been there to support us.”

The email, obtained by Newsday, did not address if families that have already paid for clinics and upcoming seasons would get their money back.

Frank Hodge, a parent of a Rebels Lacrosse player, said he has already paid his child’s tuition in full for the upcoming season.

“We are not a heartless family nor are we trying to kick someone when they are down … but the fact is we paid tuition in full early and for equipment,” Hodge said via a text to Newsday.

“Where did our money go?” Hodge said. “Am I wrong for wanting to know where my money went or the equipment is I paid for?”

Newsday could not find a record of the bankruptcy filing as of Monday afternoon.

The email said Rebels Lacrosse LLC and Blatant LLC are being represented by Lindenhurst attorney Richard Artura, who did not respond to requests for comment.

Rebels Lacrosse teams participated in tournaments on Long Island and in nearby states this spring and summer, according to its website. 

Tuition for the 2025-26 season was listed for as much as $5,500 for some teams in the 2027, 2028 and 2029 classes, according to the Rebels’ LeagueApps site.

The email to families stating Rebels Lacrosse LLC and Blatant LLC’s intention to file for bankruptcy comes just months after Blatant agreed to a $119,000 payment plan to settle a lawsuit brought by a financing company, court papers show.

The financing company, Velocity Capital Group LLC, filed a lawsuit in June in state court in upstate Erie County alleging Blatant defaulted on their July 2024 financing agreement.

A week after Verity filed the lawsuit in June, Blatant agreed to a revised payment plan to pay Verity the $119,000 owed, according to a publicly filed settlement agreement signed by Potenza, one of Blatant’s two owners.

That new arrangement called for Blatant to make weekly $2,000 payments for 10 weeks through August, then weekly payments of $6,187 until the remainder of the year.

It’s not clear from the court documents whether Blatant has made those payments.

Newsday’s Jim Baumbach contributed to this story.

Ben Dickson is Newsday Sports’ general assignment reporter. He joined Newsday’s high school sports staff in 2023 after graduating from Maryland, where he covered several of the Terrapins’ teams.