76ers and Devils Honor MLK Day, Open Applications for “Buy Black Program” for Ambitious Black Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?’” - Martin Luther King Jr.  

On today, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I reflect upon a favorite quote from Dr. King - “Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?’”  This past year, more so than any other point in my 20-year career in this industry, I have reflected upon the concept of legacy. This past year, all that was concrete was shattered, all that was guaranteed became cloudy. When the world becomes uncertain - we lean on our certainties. But our families were divided across states and nations, our places of worship were shuttered; our offices thriving with energy and innovation were ghost towns, many closed forever. There were no easy layups or ‘gimmes’ in 2020. I questioned what WAS permanent, what WOULD live beyond and through a draught? The answer - is our commitment to others, our legacy to drive meaningful change, our ability to make palpable, lasting impact on the world. 

Of those offices and businesses that closed, did you know 41 percent of Black-owned businesses shut down at the start of the pandemic? 

Did you know that Black businesses average less than a third of annual sales compared to white-owned businesses? 

These statistics have no place in our society. 

That is why today, in continuation of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment’s Action Plan and 20 million-dollar commitment to racial equity, our Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils officially open applications for the “76ers Buy Black” and “Devils Buy Black” Programs for ambitious, Black business owners and entrepreneurs in the Philadelphia and New Jersey region. We often speak of the honor and responsibility we have, as stewards of these global team brands, to use our powerful platforms of sports and entertainment to change the world and drive impact to communities and people in need. And through the 76ers and Devils Buy Black Programs, that impact will be tangible, the communities will be our own, and the people will be our neighbors.  

In building this program - the aim was to open our home to ambitious Black business owners and entrepreneurs in the Greater Philadelphia and New Jersey region - quite literally.  Our award-winning Marketing and Brand team will become their Marketing and Brand Team. The resources and creativity of our Content team, the insights of our Data and Analytics Team, the clever and quick minds of our Social Media Teams - all become business consultants for selected Black business owners. Each selected company will undergo a business and brand evaluation by our Front Office, with the goal of analyzing, strategizing and customizing a marketing mix and solution specifically targeted to meet their business needs - and one that utilizes some of the most coveted brand platforms in all of advertising - those of our NBA and NHL teams. From in-arena signage to TV, radio and digital broadcast and website and social media exposure on 76ers and Devils team platforms - our selected “Buy Black” business will become “Official Team Partners” and have access to the most exclusive and sought-after advertising opportunities in the world.  

Our intentions to uncover worthy Black business owners are ambitious and authentic. I urge you to share the links below with your colleagues, friends and family. I encourage you to post the opportunity socially, to text it to your friends and their network. Drop a note on the Facebook page of a Black-owned business that you patronize or with whom you partner. 

New Jersey Devils Buy Black Program Application: NewJerseyDevils.com/buyblack

Philadelphia 76ers Buy Black Program Application: Sixers.com/BuyBlack 

For generations, the fans and community in the regions of Philadelphia and New Jersey have cheered and shared in the successes of our teams on the court and ice - - and now is our opportunity to cheer on your successes, champion your victories. All I want in the Box Score is assists. (But I assure you, we have more than “dimes” to give…) 

And so we welcome you - ambitious Black entrepreneurs of the Philadelphia and New Jersey regions. And we dare you dream and your brand deserves its moment in the spotlight - on the court, under the 76ers three hallowed Larry O’Brien Championship banners; or shining from the world’s largest in-arena scoreboard above Prudential Center ice and below the Devils three Stanley Cup banners. We look forward to welcoming you - your ingenuity, creativity, determination, and drive to succeed - into our HBSE family. You embody the spirit of Independence for which the 76ers were named. You embody the grit of New Jersey that inspires our players to grind on the ice each day. We celebrate you, we welcome you, and we look forward to sharing your brilliance with the world. 

https://hbse.com/buy-black/