PHILADELPHIA (AP) Scott ONeil, the CEO of the parent company that owns the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, has resigned after an eight-year run in which he shepherded The Process and the Prudential Center. Aron will remain on the team's board of . Scott O'Neil (MBA 1998), former CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, was recently named CEO of the UK-based theme park company Merlin Entertainments, the Wall Street Journal reported recently. He sees other basketball titans moving on, and wonders if the changing world didnt influence them, too: Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, Celtics president Danny Ainge, Celtics coach Brad Stevens, Warriors president Rick Welts. 30, 2021, 9:39 a.m. Scott O'Neil, the CEO of the parent company that owns the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, has resigned after an eight-year run. This documentary-style series follows investigative journalists as they uncover the truth. Of course, running a franchise that intentionally went 75-253 from 2013-17 would mellow anyone. He cited the 200 nights every year he misses dinner with his family, and sighed. And on Tuesday, long-time play-by-play TV announcer Marc Zumoff announced his retirement. Scott O'Neil on the court of the Philadelphia 76ers' practice facility in Camden, N.J., April 26. The Sixers also became the first team in the NBA to put a sponsorship logo on player uniforms. Elder Sikahema asked about his connection to the Church of Jesus Christ, and ONeil explained that his wife and daughters were members, but hed never felt like it was the right time for him to join. This company has grown through a culture of extraordinary teammates willing to be innovative, having the discipline to do the work, and a courage to lead from the front. On behalf of everyone at HBSE, we thank Scott for his transformational leadership, drive and passion, and we look forward to celebrating his future successes.. He was forced to push pause. We know he will find great success in whatever he chooses to accomplish in the future, and we will always be among his biggest advocates., We are immensely grateful to Scott for his partnership over these past eight years of unprecedented growth, said HBSE Co-Founder David Blitzer. He also spent nearly a decade in the NBAs team marketing and business operations division, known in the industry as TMBO. Scott O'Neil has stepped down as CEO of the Philadelphia 76ers/New Jersey Devils after 8 years with Harris Blitzer . Im ready. I think that the right person coming in here will be a wonderful steward of this brand for years. Scott has accomplished so much on behalf of the organization in a relatively short amount of time, driving our growth, culture, and commitment to strengthening the communities in which we live, work, play, and win, Harris said in a statement. A mentor, Peter Guber, now CEO of Mandalay Entertainment, had met him on his first day on the job and gave him some life-changing advice then: don't pretend this might last forever, just use your skills to create meaningful relationships and leverage the incredible platform. SCOTT O'NEIL is the CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, a global sports and entertainment company that includes some of the most iconic and innovative teams and brands in the world, including the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA) and the New Jersey Devils (NHL). 385. O'Neil's favorite leadership book, which he urges colleagues read to help them be as objective as possible about their biases and decisions, is Leadership and Self-Deception from the Arbinger Institute. O'Neil announced . The team last year hired high-profile coach Doc Rivers and a high-profile president in Daryl Morey, grew Embiid into an MVP candidate, and boasts more than 14,000 season-ticket holders. PHILADELPHIA (AP) Scott O'Neil, the CEO of the parent company that owns the . It paid off in 2005 when he came up with a proposal to promote the NBA Finals, which had dim prospects to draw a large TV audience because of a lack of enthusiasm for some of the qualifying teams. Perhaps the biggest wake-up call came from the national protests related to the unjust killing of George Floyd and other Black individuals by police. Oh, yeah. I think a total transformation in growth of the business, brand and relevance in the city, the country is probably the biggest thing, ONeil said. Scott M. O'Neil had a seemingly charmed life in 2008. He and HBSE partners Josh Harris and David Blitzer reached an agreement on a buyout of that stake, ONeil said, without providing specifics. The Sixers should target Damian Lillard in a Ben Simmons trade | Keith Pompey, Sixers assistant Sam Cassell interviews for Washington Wizards head coaching position, California residents do not sell my data request. July 8, 2013, 11:36 AM. 157. His ambition, strategic outlook, and innovative mindset have been and will continue to be instrumental to the long-term success of our business. O'Neil's parents were role models for success and supportive of whatever career he chose. Its what he credits with steering his natural competitive drive in the proper direction. PHILADELPHIA (CBSNewYork/AP) Adam Aron stepped down as Philadelphia 76ers CEO on Monday and was replaced by former Madison Square Garden Sports president Scott O'Neil. But now, both he and they are in the right spot all the fun and all the action, he says, smiling, happens on the way up., Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. I like big opportunity.. Prior to joining HBSE, ONeil served as president of Madison Square Garden Sports and worked in the NBA league office. In 1999, most computers were unable to stream video (Adobe Flash and YouTube were several years from creation). . In the role he is departing, O'Neil also served as CEO of the Sixers, the New . Christopher Goodney | Bloomberg | Getty Images. Below, a portion of the release. Its very likely.. But before the blade descended, he knew things were not going as well as they looked on the outside. Scott ONeil, 51, head coach for The Pennington School girls varsity basketball team, talks with the team during halftime in Pennington, N.J., on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. . But only two of the eight he applied to accepted him, "giving me a giant chip on my shoulder. "I cannot overstate how much we value Scott's enormous contributions to the company and how grateful I am for his leadership and partnership in creating a best-in-class culture at HBSE.". Scott loved his parents, and he may have inherited some of his fathers competitiveness, though hes tried to learn from ONeil Sr.s missteps. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox. Heres why, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 76ers CEO speaks at BYU, advising students to find good mentors, Finding the good life could be as easy as these 5 words, says Philadelphia 76ers CEO, Hand of God moments lead Philadelphia 76ers CEO to join LDS Church, Be Where Your Feet Are: Seven Principles to Keep You Present, Grounded and Thriving. The senior ONeil became maniacally competitive and fixated on tanking his former co-worker, Scott ONeil said. "For the first time in my life, I had nobody to get back to, no 'quick' emails to send or 'short' phone calls to make in the middle of lunch," O'Neil wrote. They are smart enough. Its essentially like a vulnerable peek behind the curtain look at life, and life can be messy. Im not riding off into the sunset, ONeil said in an interview. He began reaching out and by the time of graduation in 1998, was asked to speak at the ceremony. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages, Sixers announce exit of longtime CEO Scott ONeil, Zumoff, longtime voice of 76ers, set to retire, Huerter, Young shine in 4th; Embiid not enough, Ex-NBA player Morrow facing assault charges, Durant passes 'Big O' for 13th in career points, NBA Fantasy: Under-the-radar additions for playoffs, Magic's Isaac (torn adductor) out for rest of season, Triple-double win streak shows Jokic dominance, NBA DFS Picks: Yahoo plays and strategy for March 3. In the heady days of the late-'90s dot-com . . All Rights Reserved. O'Neil, a Villanova . ONeil will try to change the world from outside of the business. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Scott ONeil, 51, head coach for The Pennington School girls varsity basketball team, stands next to his daughter, Kira, before their game in Pennington, N.J., on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. ONeils focus on diversity long predated the murder of George Floyd and the tinderbox of outrage it ignited. Seventeen years ago, while coaching his daughters 5-year-old rec league team for the first time, an official threatened to kick ONeil out for egging his team on too aggressively. The Journal notes that Merlin Entertainments is second in size only to Disney in the theme park space, with more than 140 attractions in 24 countries, featuring partnerships with Lego, Hasbro . But I think Ive done what I came here to do.. It was my dream job.". Scott ONeil, who until this past summer was the CEO of the Philadelphia 76ers for eight years, now coaches his daughter Kiras team. Here, he has built a frontline brand that, less than a decade ago, was an afterthought. Scott O'Neil Retweeted. Questions for Scott O'Neil, CEO, Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, Ownership Group of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils 1: There is so much to talk about regarding the current state of the sports industry, where we are headed, what the future looks like, employment and growth - but I want to dive into your book first. O'Neil oversaw several changes to the 76ers during his time as CEO. Scott O'Neil . He isnt even at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, where he spent eight years as CEO of the 76ers. Hes only 51, and he has daughters 21, 17, and 14, but ONeil, who lives in Bucks County, said he has no immediate plans not beyond visiting Mozambique next week with one of his girls, on a Mormon mission. PHILADELPHIA (AP) Scott O'Neil, the CEO of the parent company that owns the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, has resigned after an eight-year run in which he shepherded The Process and the Prudential Center. Scott O'Neil is stepping down as the CEO of the Devils and 76ers. Episode #419: Scott O'Neil - How To Be Where Your Feet Are. The Philadelphia 76ers have replaced Scott O'Neil with former Houston Rockets CEO Tad Brown. He became a fervent Villanova University Wildcast, never missing a class, including 12 electives in Japanese and two in calculus. In 2017, O'Neil was made CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), the holding company for the 76ers, Devils, esports businesses, a marketing and hospitality partnership, and the Prudential Center. He landed the National Basketball Association's first jersey patch deal in 2016, a new practice facility and helped the Sixers finish first attendance in 2019. Tell them what you are going to tell them, then tell them, and summarize what you just said. He is also an acting co-managing partner for Elevate Sports Ventures. By 29, he was vice president of Team Marketing and Business Operations (TMBO) at the National Basketball Association. They have not come close. Share Your Design Ideas, New JerseysMurphy Defends $10 Billion Rainy Day Fund as States Economy Slows, What Led to Europes Deadliest Train Crash in a Decade, This Week in Crypto: Ukraine War, Marathon Digital, FTX, Chief Executive Officer, Merlin Entertainments plc. The Sixers at the time ranked 29th in attendance, had a minor league facility in a private medical school and no stars, and they soon underwent a metamorphosis that saw them open a swanky new complex in Camden in 2016, draft All-Stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons and shoot to the top of NBA attendance. I think that the right person coming in here will be a wonderful steward of this brand for years. Three months into the job, he had no office phone, laptop, or even business cards. ONeil, who previously led Madison Square Garden Sports, said he did not have another job lined up. He wont go far, he said. NEWARK, N.J. - JUNE 30, 2021 - After eight successful years guiding Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) through exponential growth and expansion, CEO Scott O'Neil has elected to step away from the organization in order to pursue new opportunities. "I was 100% where my feet were and focused on what was in front of me. "There was nowhere I would rather have been because MSG was this incredible brand with indescribable energy and amazing scope," O'Neil told Startup Savant. We want to hear from you! "Scott has accomplished so much on behalf of the organization in a relatively short amount of time, driving our growth, culture, and commitment to strengthening the communities in which we live, work, play, and win," Harris said in a statement. Thanks for contacting us. Do a lot of preparation and practice, no matter how much you think you know the topic. He has more than 25 years of experience leading NBA, NHL and NFL teams and leagues, including the National Basketball Association, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils. ONeil said in 2014 that we dont use the T word in this organization, referencing tanking, when the Sixers were in the early days of their scrutinized rebuild known as The Process. June 30, 2021 12:00 pm ET. Scott O'Neil, chief executive officer of the Philadelphia 76ers in New York, Sept. 26, 2016. Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball against the Atlanta Hawks during Round 2, Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs on June 20, 2021 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The team's next CEO will be tasked with keeping the franchise stable on the business front, landing the Sixers a new arena, and possibly steering the NBA's All-Star Game back to the city. The Wall Street Journal's May 8, 2021, print edition featured Scott O'Neil, CEO of the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Devils. . The Sixers mountain was supposed to be the NBA title: completely dismantle a franchise, rebuild it with draft choices, then win forever. The Sixers and their controversial, imperfect, and incomplete rebuilding strategy were not ONeils sole responsibilities. His recently published book, titled Be Where Your Feet Are, is about the importance of balancing a professional career with home life. The 76ers went from being valued at $415 million in 2013 to a current value of $2.5 billion, according to Sportico. His proper title grew to become CEO of not just the 76ers but, as the ownership group expanded its interests, of also Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. The best insights from the ultimate insiders, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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To create inviolable segments to allow him to focus, O'Neil blocks out time for everything in his professional and personal life, from exercise and morning prayer to conference calls and listening to feedback. The franchise value Devils declined 4% and now worth $530 million, according to Forbes. Was ONeil forced out? ONeil talks about the HoopsTV debacle as a watershed moment in his career. Kriston Jae Bethel for The Wall Street Journal. "Bloomberg Opinion" columnists offer their opinions on issues in the news. ONeil was a limited partner in HBSE, which owns a number of assets, including the NBA and NHL clubs, multiple esports teams, a venture fund and the Prudential Center, home of the Devils. I love this team. In 2016, O'Neil orchestrated a deal that made the Sixers the first U.S. pro sports franchise to own an e-sports team. However, the team finished with a 19-30-7 this season and haven't made the playoffs since 2018. His recently published book, titled Be Where Your Feet Are, is about the importance of being balancing a professional career with home life. I love this city. A sign over the door to the gym is seen at The Pennington School in Pennington, N.J., on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. Click below to read our review of the best business formation services! His recently published book, entitled Be Where Your Feet Are, is about the importance of being balancing a professional career with home life. The outlet also notes the Sixers are worth $2 billion. I gradually learned to give up on trying to find so-called work-life balance, which doesn't breed greatness, while being wholly present in the moment can. The team announced Wednesday that CEO Scott O'Neil is leaving the franchise to seek "new opportunities." Jesse D. Garrabrant | National Basketball Association | Getty Images, MLB joins the NFT boom with first token to honor Lou Gehrig. The sports company is run by Apollo Global Management co-founder Josh Harris and Blackstone executive David Blitzer. The team is now worth $2.5 billion, according to Sporticos latest rankings. O'Neil realized the critical need for more diversity of all kinds, which would benefit the organization from the increase in talents and insights. 1. He emphasized how much he wants his daughters to nurture their . On behalf of everyone at HBSE, we thank Scott for his transformational leadership, drive and passion, and we look forward to celebrating his future successes.. And, ever the competitor, ONeil cant help but allow his 20 years of experience in the ruthless world of sports shape his coaching style. Scott O'Neil is stepping down as CEO of the 76ers to focus on other projects. I inherited one [woman]. Durant, a four-time scoring champion, now sets his sights on Hakeem Olajuwon in 12th place. At the time, he and Lisa had a 1-year-old daughter at home. His recently published book, titled Be Where Your Feet Are, is about the importance of being balancing a professional career with home life. Last December, ONeil secured the NHLs first helmet sponsor for the Devils. Join Facebook to connect with Scott O'Neill and others you may know. HBSE, which owns the Sixers and New Jersey Devils, grew its brand and . ONeil landed the job back in 2013. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages, Zumoff, longtime voice of 76ers, set to retire, Huerter, Young shine in 4th; Embiid not enough, 76ers get defensive to force Game 7 in Philly, Ex-NBA player Morrow facing assault charges, Durant passes 'Big O' for 13th in career points, NBA Fantasy: Under-the-radar additions for playoffs, Magic's Isaac (torn adductor) out for rest of season, Triple-double win streak shows Jokic dominance, NBA DFS Picks: Yahoo plays and strategy for March 3. ONeil recently released a new book called Be Where Your Feet Are: Seven Principles to Keep You Present, Grounded and Thriving which talks about being present and focused in everything you do, as the Deseret News reported. Scott ONeil, who until this past summer was the CEO of the Philadelphia 76ers for the past eight years, now coaches his daughter Kiras basketball team. value of the HBSE assets has mushroomed. 76ers and Devils Honor MLK Day, Open Applications for "Buy Black Program" for Ambitious . Not everybody is ready to hear, get on your knees and pray at night, and whip out your scriptures and get your butt to church.. A professor told him that he should, instead, regard them as 900 friends who could help him and recommended he try to assist them (a third spoke English as a second language, for starters). He said he couldnt reveal how much of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment or the Sixers he owned, but it was for me, meaningful.. Im ready to go.. Its value under his direction increased five-fold, but he stepped down in June 2021 to pursue new ventures. O'Neil says the next CEO will be charged with continuing to grow the company while also likely taking the lead in building a new arena for the 76ers. Thats over. The team announced Wednesday that . I also discovered that failure can actually be a greater teacher than success.". Scott O'Neil is the author of B That process led to an opportunity in the NBAs executive office, where he worked for eight seasons before a career that took him to Madison Square Garden and later Harris Blitzer. I would like to thank Josh Harris and David Blitzer for inspiring, engaging and empowering me to bring together the most talented executive team in sports and entertainment, ONeil said. They connected over sports Elder Sikahema was a former Eagles player, and ONeil a former Eagles employee as well as their faith. The last six years have changed the way O'Neil sees the world, he said. Coaching a team is very analogous to running a company, he tells me, listing off all the characteristics of successful executives: be a hard worker, be intellectually curious and be an extraordinary teammate. The Devils have missed the playoffs for three straight seasons. 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ONeil, who until this past summer was the CEO of the Philadelphia 76ers for eight years, now coaches his daughter Kiras basketball team. For sports executive Scott ONeil, the headline read, failure is the best teacher.. ONeil has also been serving as co-managing partner of Elevate Sports Ventures, a consulting firm launched in 2018 by HBSE and the San Francisco 49ers. I want the girls on the other team to raise their hand and say, Coach, give me a break, he tells me, grinning. The 76ers, under the direction of Scott O'Neil, their chief executive, have been dipping into the franchise's past even as the team reinvents itself. ONeil replaced Adam Aron, now the CEO of AMC Entertainment, in 2013 and worked under Sixers and Devils owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer. And people of color now make up 34% of our company.. Scott O'Neil (second from right) huddles with the officials and then-coach Brett Brown (left) before a 76ers game. Hired in 2013, O'Neil is credited for helping rebrand the Sixers over his eight seasons with the club. Got a confidential news tip? When readers purchase services discussed on our site, we often earn affiliate commissions that support our work. Long before he became the CEO of the Philadelphia 76ers NBA team and the New Jersey Devils NHL team, Scott O'Neil was working fifty hours a week as a teenager, digging pools, landscaping, working . Im leaving because its time, ONeil told the Associated Press. His recently published book, entitled Be Where Your Feet Are, is about the importance of being balancing a professional career with home life. It wasn't Doc Rivers and Daryl Morey, Ben Simmons' dogged refusal to shoot, or even all of the losing. Still, the timing seems curious, considering the additions of Rivers and Morey, their resumes, and their egos. His team plays physical and fast, utilizing a full-court press and wearing out the opponent. He will step down from the Elevate board, but will retain his equity stake. T. O'Neil was with Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment for eight years. The intense drive to crush his competitor ironically led to the failure of his own business, and his marriage soon followed. We know he will find great success in whatever he chooses to accomplish in the future, and we will always be among his biggest advocates.. We want to hear from you. He told players, staff, and fans to "trust the process" of long-term rebuilding, "since there is no short-cut to the top, only the middle": he urged them to have a big vision, even if it is ahead of the market; do the work and pay the short-term price; make lemonade out of lemons. Since then, he says, its been a constant learning process in his roles from the front office to his personal relationships. Scott O'Neil, the CEO of the parent company that owns the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, has resigned after an eight-year run in which . In 2020, the Sixers captured the division title for the first time in 20 years. . After eight successful years guiding Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) through exponential growth and expansion, CEO Scott ONeil has elected to step away from the organization in order to pursue new opportunities.