Harvard Business School Announces Harris Family Fund for Sports Management and Alternative Investments – News
BOSTON – Harvard Business School (HBS) received a $ 5 million gift from Josh Harris (MBA 1990), Co-Founder of Apollo Global Management, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and Harris Philanthropies, and his wife Marjorie to build Harris Family Fund for Sports Management and Alternative Investment. This gift adds to the Josh Harris Endowment for Sports Management, created in 2015. The mission of the Harris Family Fund for Sports Management and Alternative Investments is to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion of unrepresented individuals in these fields, while simultaneously advancing research. The fund will achieve this goal by creating programming and financial support for students keen to seek related positions.
“We know that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential for the long-term sustainability of every organization. It’s not just a social or moral necessity, but more importantly an economic necessity, too. Companies and industry that makes it a central part of their strategy will be in a better position to thrive. said HBS Dean Srikant Datar. ”This generous gift from Josh and Marjorie will remove barriers for our students and inspire in the research of our teachers, which will create exciting new opportunities. “
Managing sports and alternative investments are areas of business that are close to Josh’s heart and essential to his career. Under his leadership, Apollo Global Management has become the second largest alternative and largest alternative credit manager. In the sports industry, he is not only the Founder and Managing General Partner of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), but Managing Partner of the Philadelphia 76ers, General Partner of Crystal Palace Football Club in the Premier League, and minority owner. of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Harris Family Fund for Sports Management and Alternative Investments will support academic initiatives including faculty research, case writing, and curriculum development. The fund will also help bring together the larger Harvard community through events featuring some of the University’s leading experts on the topics.
“Going to Harvard Business School has had a immeasurable impact on my career, and I’m excited to give back to an institution that has given me so many unique opportunities,” said Josh Harris. “This fund will go to support students from a variety of backgrounds interested in pursuing careers in Alternative Investments or Sports Management – two industries that are close to my heart but need to involve many voices from many backgrounds. community.Marjorie and I are proud to partner with HBS to advance research in these areas, promote inclusion and support the next generation of industry leaders.
A barrier to entry in these fields can sometimes be post-graduation fees. As such, the fund will help establish partnership programs that provide salary supplements to encourage MBA students and recent graduates to realize their career visions without feeling overwhelmed. limited in salary, in addition to scholars for Executive Education or HBS Online participants interested in these sectors.
Josh and Marjorie founded Harris Philanthropies in 2014 to promote the advancement of youth and community through equitable and inclusive investment in sports, improved health, and education. Across their charitable platform, they have become one of the largest supporters of after-class sports programs, helping 15,000 youth each year throughout Philadelphia, New Jersey, and New York while helping approximately 100,000 young people each year across the country.
Josh has served on the boards of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, the NBA, and the NHL. He graduated summa cum laude from Wharton and was named Baker Loeb Scholar at HBS. Marjorie has also served on several boards, including the HBS Board of Dean Advisors (with Josh) and the national board of directors of After-School All-Stars. She is the Chair of the Sixers Youth Foundation and also a member of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s Women’s Executive Council.
