Harvard Business School

HBS Receives Multi-Million Donation for Sports Management and Alternative Investments

Harvard Business School (HBS) has received a $5 million gift for advancing and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in Sports Management and Alternative Investments.

The multi-million donation comes from Josh Harris, co-founder of Apollo Global Management, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and Harris Philanthropies, and his wife Marjorie. The gift will establish the Harris Family Fund for Sports Management and Alternative Investments—a new fund that aims to promote the diversity, equity, and inclusion of underrepresented individuals in these fields, while simultaneously advancing research.

“We know that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to the long-term viability of every organization. This is not just a social or moral imperative, but increasingly an economic imperative, too. The firms and industries that make this a central part of their strategy will be better positioned to thrive.” HBS Dean Srikant Datar says in a press release. “This generous gift from Josh and Marjorie will remove barriers for our students and spur research among our faculty, creating exciting new opportunities.”

GIVING BACK

Harris has had extensive experience in both the sports management and alternative investments fields. Under his leadership, Apollo Global Management became the second-largest alternatives and largest alternative credit manager. In the sports industry, his titles include Founder and Managing General Partner of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), Managing Partner of the Philadelphia 76ers, General Partner of the Crystal Palace Football Club in the Premier League, and a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Harris says the fund is his way of giving back to HBS, a place he once called home.

“Attending Harvard Business School had an immeasurable impact on my career, and I am thrilled to give back to an institution that provided me so many incredible opportunities,” Harris, who graduated with an MBA in 1990, says. “This fund will go towards supporting students from diverse backgrounds who are interested in pursuing careers in either Alternative Investments or Sports Management – two industries that are close to my heart but that urgently need to include more voices from more communities. Marjorie and I are proud to partner with HBS to advance research in these fields, promote inclusion and support the next generation of industry leaders.”

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 the greater Harvard community together with events featuring Harvard’s foremost experts.

Sources: Harvard Business School, Forbes