Sard Verbinnen & Co is working PR for the $320M acquisition of the New Jersey Devils hockey franchise by private equity financiers David Blitzer and Joshua Harris.

devilsBlitzer, a New Jersey native, is senior managing director of Blackstone Group. Harris is a co-founder and managing partner of Apollo Global Management, a longtime Sard client, and owns the Phildaelphia 76ers NBA franchise.

The deal for a majority stake includes the Devils' long-term interest in Newark's Prudential Center, known as The Rock, and other assets. The duo purchased the team from Lehman Brothers alum Jeff Vanderbeek.

"We will be committed stewards of this great franchise and arena as we work closely with city and state leadership to ensure the Devils, their fans and the Newark and greater New Jersey community all share in the future success of their favorite team," they said in a statement today.

Scott O'Neill, CEO of the NBA's Philadelphia 67ers has been named CEO of the Devils and Prudential Center in addition to his basketball post.

Sard chairman George Sard and managing director Jonathan Doorley are handling PR for the acquisition.

Mike Levine is senior VP of communications for the Devils.