New Jersey Devils Owner Apologizes After Landing Helicopter in Middle of Kids' Soccer Game Forces Cancellation
He said he's "truly sorry," invited the kids to an upcoming N.J. Devils game.
— -- A co-owner of the NHL's New Jersey Devils said today that he's "truly sorry" after landing in a helicopter in the middle of a kids' soccer game in Newark.
Devils co-owner Joshua Harris said in a statement that he unexpectedly arrived in a chopper in the middle of Saint Benedict Preparatory School's soccer field Sunday night, causing many parents and kids "frustration" because the game ended up having to be canceled.
"I sincerely apologize to the kids and their coaches and families for the cancellation of their soccer game in Newark on Sunday night," said Harris, who also owns the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers. "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."
Harris had been attending a Devils game and was indeed scheduled to land at St. Benedict's soccer field, which is regularly used as a helipad, according to an agreement with the school, a Prudential Center spokesman told ABC station WABC-TV in New York.
But the problem arose when the Devils game unexpectedly went into overtime and went into the kids' scheduled soccer game.
"Working with St. Benedict's, we have fixed the process to prevent any future issues," Harris said in the statement. "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."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.