Rec Sports
Josh Harris, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment/Washington Commanders
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.