Devils Owner's Helicopter Cancels Youth Soccer Game In Scheduling Snafu
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New Jersey Devils owner Josh Harris has apologized, after his helicopter landed on a field where two youth soccer teams were scheduled to play, forcing the teams to cancel their game.
The teams were getting ready for a game at St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark on Sunday, when the chopper dropped onto the field. It was there to pick up Harris after a Devils game at the Prudential Center that went into overtime.
Harris has a deal with the school to use the field to land his chopper on occasion -- but this time, someone must have double-booked the space, WCBS 880's Alex Silverman reported.
The Sones Training Academy Under 13 team was ready to show off some fancy footwork on Sunday night, having traveled from Morris Plains for a 7:30 game in Newark.
"There were a lot of very disappointed kids," Sean Sweeney, coach of STA Under 13 team said. Sweeney said they team waited for awhile before deciding to call the game off.
As CBS2's Tony Aiello reported, a convenient getaway for a billionaire made for an unexpected interruption.
"Like, the helicopter just landed and disrupted the game. I was kind of mad," Eddie Kelly said.
Harris said in a statement that he was truly sorry for the incident and that he understands their frustration as a sports parent himself.
"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 said in a statement.
He also invited all the players and their families to a future Devils game.
Sweeney had an invitation for Harris, too.
"If he wants to come to the replayed game, tell him to drive there though because we don't allow helicopters on our field," Sweeney said.
"If he does bring his helicopter, he can take our kids for a spin in it," he added.
It turns out that Harris also has an interest in soccer. He's on the verge of buying a big stake in a London Premier League club, Crystal Palace.
If he's looking for some future prospects, he can find them in Morris Plains.
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