Devils Owners Commit $20 Million to Fight Systematic Racism

NEWARK, NJ – The New Jersey Devils ownership group Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) announced on Monday afternoon that it was rolling out a company-wide plan to fight systematic racism and has committed to invest $20 million over the next five years in the communities where their teams play. That figure includes a $10 million contribution from the 76ers to the NBA’s newly-announced foundation to drive economic empowerment in Black communities.

HBSE is committed to community development efforts that revitalize the neighborhoods where its teams and fans are located. Through partnerships with Black developers, local community groups and officials, HBSE Real Estate’s Community Advancement Program will advance equitable, community-driven revitalization through significant investments, including:

• A minimum of $2.5 million to be donated to organizations and efforts that improve resident quality of life and further equitable development in Black communities (e.g., employment programs, home-buying assistance for long-time residents, public space improvements, youth programming); and
• Consistent capital commitments into real estate projects that advance community priorities in Black neighborhoods, such as affordable housing, health centers, commercial corridor improvements, among others.

“As leaders and stewards of community pillars, the eyes of the world are on us to do better, and they should be,” HBSE Founder Josh Harris said in a statement. “While we will never be able to correct the past harm and injustice faced by Black Americans, it’s our duty to provide resources that enable tangible action and greater opportunities for equality.”

“We are committing to a fundamental change in our business strategy by embedding our organization with Black communities and businesses through significant and sustained investment and support,” Harris continued. “We are deeply committed to fighting for a better, more inclusive future and we pledge to be leaders in doing so.”

The announcement outlined the implementation of new initiatives to support Black-owned businesses with competitive opportunities and marketing resources. They will allocate more than $5 million of the committed funds to Black-owned business through HBSE’s new Buy Black Partnership Program and will increase expenditure with Black-owned businesses through its new Diversity Procurement Program that includes partnerships with organizations such as the African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ, PA and DE.

HBSE will commit $2.5 million through the Sixers Youth Foundation and Devils Care Foundation, continuing to work through their Corporate Responsibility programs to support positive education, health and employment outcomes in Black communities. The recent endowment of separate donations made to the Newark Boys & Girls Club and the Urban League of Essex County, inspired by Devils Defenseman P.K. Subban’s $50,000 donation to the GoFundMe campaign dedicated to Gionna Floyd, the six-year-old daughter of the late George Floyd. Subban’s donation was matched by the NHL.

HBSE’s commitment to the advancement of the Newark community long predates today’s announcement as they have generously given back to the city in big ways. From their annual food and toy drives to the rollout of a five-part mural series to the donation of an outdoor hockey rink to Newark’s Philip’s Academy Charter School and especially the recent outpouring support to healthcare workers during the pandemic.

Moreover, on the employment side, HBSE is dedicated to supporting Black and minority executives entering and ascending in the sports and entertainment industry and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace through recruitment, dynamic partnerships and programs that provide support and enrichment opportunities for all employees and athletes. To accomplish these goals, HBSE will:

• Hire a Chief Diversity and Impact Officer to lead internal and external diversity and inclusion programs and initiatives across the organization;
• Strengthen HBSE’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board and new Black Employee Resource Group with support groups, workshops and a speaker series to foster continued race-based education, empathy and mindfulness within our organizational culture;
• Focus on new recruitment, retention and career advancement programs to increase the representation of Black and minority employees across HBSE; and
• Partner with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to connect graduating college seniors with career pipelines and exposure at HBSE.

“It is crucial for us to take action in fighting against systemic racism and social injustices, which have persisted for far too long,” HBSE Co-Founder David Blitzer said. “Moving forward, we are making a continued commitment to racial equality as a key focus of our business, advancing institutional and situational change where we live, work and play.”

“We cannot and will not tolerate racism, injustice or hate, and take responsibility to be a part of the solution for the future of our industry, the cities we serve and our country as a whole.”

These significant and comprehensive steps outlined to fight systematic racism will undoubtedly make a difference and it reaffirms HBSE’s commitments to the communities in which they play in. This is a widespread issue that affects the entire country, but help has to start somewhere. We can only hope is that HBSE generosity is contagious in the sports world and beyond.