Monday, July 8, 2013

Aron out as CEO, O'Neil to take over

July 8, 2013

By Nick Tricome


Adam Aron has stepped down as Sixers CEO to pursue another business interest, according to Dan Gelston of the Associated Press.

Scott O'Neil, a Villanova graduate and former president of Madison Square Garden Sports, will take over as CEO next week.


Although he is leaving his position as CEO, Aron has increased his ownership stake in the Sixers, according to the AP report. He will also remain on the organization's board of directors.

Aron took to Twitter after word got out to announce his next business venture, his continued involvement with the team and the state in which he is leaving the team.



Aron was a member of the ownership group, led by majority owner Josh Harris, that bought the Sixers two years ago. Both Harris and Aron will continue to work together with future investments, according to the Sixers' official press release.

“I want to thank Adam Aron for his important contributions to the Sixers during a key period in the development of the team,” Harris said in the statement. “Adam was instrumental in re-engaging the Sixers fan base and guiding our ownership group. I am pleased he will remain active with the Sixers, and look forward to continuing to work closely with him as he aggressively explores investment possibilities.”

 O'Neil, who will be taking over for Aron, served as Madison Square Garden Sports president from July 2008 to September 2012, when he resigned from the position. He served as the NBA's senior vice president  
for team marketing and business operations from 2004 to 2008 and was vice president of sales for the Philadelphia Eagles and a marketing assistant for the New Jersey (now Brooklyn) Nets prior to that.

 “On behalf of our entire ownership group, I am very excited to welcome Scott O’Neil to the Sixers,” Harris said. “We believe that Scott’s unique blend of experience, relationships and demonstrated leadership over the past two decades at the NBA, Madison Square Garden Sports and the Philadelphia Eagles will make him the perfect CEO of our business as we work to take the team to the next level."

 “With Scott and Sam Hinkie, President of Basketball Operations and General Manager, I believe we have put in place a dynamic, industry-leading management team that should help position the Sixers for success both on and off the court in the future,“ Harris added.

 The Sixers have begun a complete rebuilding process under new GM Sam Hinkie. They made a shocker of a trade on the night of the NBA Draft, by sending all-star point guard Jrue Holiday and the 42nd overall pick to the New Orleans Pelicans for the sixth overall pick in center Nerlens Noel and the Pelicans' first round pick in 2014.

 The Sixers are also still without a coach, after Doug Collins resigned at the end of the season.

 Yet this situation seems like something that O'Neil looks forward to being a part of.

 “I have a great deal of respect for Josh Harris and the other members of the Sixers ownership group, and I am truly looking forward to working with them,” O’Neil said. “Josh wants to win – on and off the court – and has demonstrated a strong commitment to building the right organization from top to bottom.

 "Philadelphia is a city built on hard work, grit and the strongest sense of community that exists anywhere in the country," O'Neil added. "We will work every day to live those values, integrate ourselves into the fabric of this community, and make our fans and business partners proud to be part of our continued resurgence.”

(Image from Philadunkia.com)
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