Josh Harris apologizes for helicopter canceling kids' soccer game

Share

Josh Harris-owned teams are used to losing, but at least they get to play the games.

Most Philadelphians are familiar with Harris because he owns the Philadelphia 76ers but he is also an owner of the New Jersey Devils hockey team. He frequently attends their games in North Jersey and sometimes takes a helicopter to get to the arena. That's where things sometimes get a little weird.

Deadspin has a strange tale of a youth soccer game being canceled at Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, N.J. because a helicopter waiting to pick up Harris was in the middle of their field, preventing the kids from kicking the ball around and having fun.

An angry parent wrote in to Deadspin explaining the situation, "A security detail emerged from the helicopter and informed the boys and their coaches that NJ Jersey Devils owner, Josh Harris, had instructed them to land on the field and wait for him to return from the Prudential Center where the Devils were playing. The boys and their families waited in the cold until finally it became clear that Harris was running late and no one knew when he might return to pick up his ride. Eventually, the coaches decided to call the boys’ game and everyone went home disappointed, frustrated and annoyed."

Turns out Harris is one of a few businessmen who has an agreement with Saint Benedict's Prep to use the field as a helipad. The Devils game on Sunday night went into overtime and that just screwed everything up.

Harris obviously felt bad about the mixup and issues an apology via the Devils, "I sincerely apologize to the kids and their coaches and families for the cancelation of their soccer game in Newark on Sunday night. As a Dad, who has spent hundreds of hours watching my kids play sports, I can understand the frustration, and for that, I am truly sorry. Working with St. Benedict’s, we have fixed the process to prevent any future issues. While I can’t take back what happened, I hope the coaches, the teams and their families would be open to being my guest at an upcoming Devils’ game, and I will be extending an invitation.”

Which makes me wonder: where do you think Harris parks his 'copter when attending Sixers games in Philly? FDR? One of the 472 parking lots near the stadium complex? 

Contact Us