David Levy Says Nets Job Wasn't What He Signed Up For

David Levy said he left his job as Nets and Barclays Center CEO after less than two months because it "just wasn't the job I signed up for," according to Deb & Draper of the N.Y. TIMES. Levy said that the parting "was mutual." The former Turner President "declined to go into specifics about how the job was different than he expected." However, he said that it had "nothing to do with the Nets' and NBA's recent travails in China." J Tsai Sports CEO Oliver Weisberg, who is replacing Levy on an interim basis, "suggested there was a clash in vision" between Nets and Barclays Center Owner Joe Tsai and Levy. Weisberg in a statement said, "As we enter an exciting next chapter of our organization, it's important that ownership and management are completely aligned on our go forward plan." Levy suggested that his next role "would be closer to the media side of sports, where he spent decades, rather than the team side" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/13). Levy in September had said that he was "thrilled about the new job, including the chance to invest in sports betting, esports and new technology" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 11/12). NBC NEWS' Dylan Byers writes there is "something fishy here," as Levy joined the Nets less than two months ago. Byers: "Now, all of a sudden, he's out?" (NBCNEWS.com, 11/13).

TWITTER REAX: SI's Chris Mannix: "The Nets statement on David Levy plainly indicates there were philosophical differences between Levy and ownership. Still, Levy was a touted addition to the franchise two months ago. Very surprising development." N.Y. Daily News' Stefan Bondy: "Well this didn’t last long." Forbes' Shlomo Sprung: "Very curious news." SB Nation's NetsDaily feed: "Someone familiar with the decision to part ways with David Levy says that China was NOT an issue and notes in fact that it was not one issue that led to the decision but more a sense it wasn’t working on a philosophical level."