Joshua "Josh" Harris (born 1965) is an American private equity investor who co-founded Apollo Global Management, one of the world's largest alternative investment firms. Harris is also the principal owner of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League and the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association, as well as owning an 18 percent stake in Crystal Palace of the English Premier League.
Early life and education
Harris was born to a Jewish family in 1965. He was raised in Chevy Chase, Maryland. He attended high school in Washington D.C at The Field School. Harris is a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and received his MBA from the Harvard Business School. He wrestled in college. Harris strongly considered running for political office as a Republican before concluding that he could accomplish more in the private sector.
Career
He worked at Drexel Burnham Lambert before co-founding Apollo Global Management with fellow Drexel alumnus Leon Black and Marc Rowan in 1990. He is currently one of three managing partners of Apollo, along with Black and Rowan. As of 2011, his estimated net worth was $1.5 billion.
Harris is the managing partner of an investment group that won a $280 million bid for the purchase of the Philadelphia 76ers from Comcast Spectacor in 2011. The other members of the investment group are: David S. Blitzer of the private equity firm Blackstone Group and portfolio manager Art Wrubel, both fellow Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania graduates, as well as former NBA agent and Sacramento Kings executive Jason Levien, former Vail Resorts CEO Adam Aron, Martin J. Geller, David B. Heller, Travis Hennings, James Lassiter, Marc Leder, Michael Rubin, Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith, and Indonesian businessmen Handy Soetedjo & Erick Thohir. Comcast-Spectacor and Harris began talks in the summer of 2011. The deal was announced on July 13, 2011. The NBA formally approved the deal on October 13.
On August 15, 2013, it was announced that a group led by Harris and partner David Blitzer purchased a majority stake in the New Jersey Devils of the NHL, which includes the rights to operate Prudential Center arena in Newark, New Jersey. The transaction was reportedly for over $320 million. Harris and Blitzer were rumoured to be interested in purchasing Premier League team Aston Villa, following the announcement by Randy Lerner that the club is up for sale. Harris was then further linked in acquiring South London's biggest club, currently of the Premier League, Crystal Palace. Harris has also expressed interest in buying the first NFL team to be based out of London.
Personal life
Harris is married to Marjorie Rubin and they have five children.
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