The Philadelphia 76ers today announced that respected industry veteran Scott O’Neil has been named the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective July 16, with responsibility for overseeing every aspect of the team’s business operations. He will also serve as an Alternate Governor of the National Basketball Association.
“On behalf of our entire ownership group, I am very excited to welcome Scott O’Neil to the Sixers,” Managing Owner Josh 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.
“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. 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.”
O’Neil will succeed Adam Aron, who will become Chairman and CEO of a new investment vehicle, funded by members of the Sixers ownership group. Aron also will remain a Sixers Co-Owner and Board member.
“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. “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.”
Aron commented, “I have enjoyed every single second of my association with the Philadelphia 76ers, and look forward to continuing to root for the Sixers as Co-Owner and Board member. Even so, as I look at the current investment landscape, my enthusiasm is boundless for what is to come as I commence an exciting new chapter in my career.”
Most recently, O’Neil served as president of Madison Square Garden Sports, where he oversaw the business operations of The Madison Square Garden Company’s (MSG) three professional sports teams, the New York Knicks, New York Rangers and New York Liberty, leading some of the most coveted brands in sports.
O’Neil was the key architect in several of the largest deals in NBA history, resulting in record-setting revenue in sponsorships, tickets and suites. His team signed JPMorgan Chase as MSG’s first-ever Marquee Partner and also secured Signature Partnerships with Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, Kia Motors and Lexus, all of which incorporated MSG’s sports, entertainment and media assets as well as those of the transformed Madison Square Garden arena.
O’Neil came to MSG from the National Basketball Association (NBA), where as senior vice president, he oversaw the league’s team marketing and business operations. He advised NBA and WNBA teams on ticket sales and service, sponsorship development, and marketing. He also managed the NBA’s Canadian business, Relationship Marketing, and the NBA Development League.
Earlier in his career, O’Neil honed his sales and marketing expertise with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he became vice president of sales, and the New Jersey Nets, where he began his career as a marketing assistant.
O’Neil holds a degree in Marketing from Villanova University and M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School.
