The 76ers have hired former MSG President SCOTT O'NEIL as CEO, replacing ADAM ARON, who was hired by the Sixers in '11. Aron will remain a minority owner of the team and a board member. O’Neil will oversee the team’s business operations with recently hired 76ers President of Basketball Operations SAM HINKIE running the basketball side of the franchise. O’Neil begins his new job on July 16. “With Scott and Sam Hinkie, 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," 76ers Majority Owner JOSH HARRIS said in a statement. O’Neil was MSG President from July '08-September '12. His new job marks a return to Philadelphia, where he worked for the Eagles early in his career after attending Villanova Univ. He takes over running the 76ers after a 34-48 season that saw the team miss the playoffs with a 4.5% drop at the gate compared to the '11-12 lockout-shortened season. “You have an extremely passionate fan base in a hard-core sports city and the Sixers have some history that means something,” said O’Neil, who prior to taking the 76ers job was linked to opportunities with the Raiders and MLSE. “My first hundred days will be spent listening and learning to truly understand where we are. I love the market, the brand is terrific, but the one overriding factor is Josh Harris, [76ers co-Owner] DAVE BLITZER and the ownership group."
