Bryan Colangelo may not have authored any of the tweets himself, but he seemed to provide private information that went into them.
And when his wife used those details to criticize his own players or rival colleagues, Colangelo and the Philadelphia 76ers knew he could no longer remain their top basketball executive.
Colangelo resigned Thursday as president of basketball operations for the 76ers in the wake of what an investigation found was B次元官网网址渃areless and in some instances recklessB次元官网网址� sharing of sensitive team information.
The independent review by a law firm did not determine that Colangelo operated or was even aware of Twitter accounts that anonymously trashed some of his own players and fellow executives, and defended him against criticism from fans and the sports media.
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP said evidence supported the conclusion that ColangeloB次元官网网址檚 wife, Barbara Bottini, operated the four accounts it investigated, and she admitted to doing so B次元官网网址� though also said she deleted contents of her iPhone with a factory reset of the device prior to surrendering it for forensic review, limiting the investigation.
B次元官网网址淥ur investigation revealed substantial evidence that Mr. Colangelo was the source of sensitive, non-public, club-related information contained in certain posts to the Twitter accounts,B次元官网网址� the report said. B次元官网网址淲e believe that Mr. Colangelo was careless and in some instances reckless in failing to properly safeguard sensitive, non-public, club-related information in communications with individuals outside the 76ers organization.B次元官网网址�
As for Colangelo, there was no evidence he knew of the accounts before a May 22 inquiry from the sports website The Ringer for a story it reported linking him to five Twitter accounts that took aim at Philadelphia players Joel Embiid and Markelle Fultz, former Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie, Toronto Raptors executive Masai Ujiri and former Sixers players Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel.
Colangelo released a statement disputing that his conduct was reckless.
B次元官网网址淎t no point did I ever purposefully or directly share any sensitive, non-public, club-related information with her,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淗er actions were a seriously misguided effort to publicly defend and support me, and while I recognize how inappropriate these actions were, she acted independently and without my knowledge or consent. Further, the content she shared was filled with inaccuracies and conjecture which in no way represent my own views or opinions.B次元官网网址�
Evidence found that Bottini established and operated four of the accounts B次元官网网址� Eric jr, Still Balling, Enoughunkownsources, and HonestAbe B次元官网网址� but it seemed some of the information being posted, such as details of trade discussions or medical reports, was coming from Colangelo himself.
As such, the team said it had B次元官网网址渂ecome clear BryanB次元官网网址檚 relationship with our team and his ability to lead the 76ers moving forward has been compromisedB次元官网网址� and that it had accepted his resignation.
B次元官网网址淲e find the situation to be disappointing for our entire organization,B次元官网网址� 76ers managing partner Josh Harris said. B次元官网网址淲e are determined to continue the tremendous progress we have made over the last two seasons in our quest to win an NBA championship.B次元官网网址�
ItB次元官网网址檚 a stunning fall for Colangelo, a former two-time Executive of the Year who was expected to lead the improving 76ers into an important summer when they are hoping to pursue LeBron James or another All-Star player to add to a young core that includes Embiid and Ben Simmons.
Instead that role will be led for now by coach Brett Brown. The 76ers said he would oversee basketball operations on an interim basis and that the search for a new general manager would begin immediately.
B次元官网网址淵ou never want to see someoneB次元官网网址檚 job end through an unfortunate circumstance like this. I certainly understand from the 76ersB次元官网网址� standpoint that that bond has been broken,B次元官网网址� NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not even necessary to assign fault, just the reality of where they all find themselves. I think Bryan recognizes like that as well, that these teams are like families and it can get to a point where it becomes dysfunctional and I think thatB次元官网网址檚 where they found themselves right now.B次元官网网址�
Colangelo, the son of longtime sports executive Jerry Colangelo, was hired as president of basketball operations in 2016 after Hinkie abruptly resigned. Hinkie was the architect behind what has been called B次元官网网址淭he ProcessB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� the long-term tearing down and rebuilding of the Sixers.
Colangelo previously served as Raptors general manager, adding the 2007 Executive of the Year award to the one he won two years earlier in Phoenix. But he lost his job there after Toronto missed the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season, and Ujiri took over basketball operations.
B次元官网网址淥ver the last two years, I have worked hard to help build a foundation for what I hope will soon be many championship seasons for the 76ers,B次元官网网址� Colangelo said. B次元官网网址淚 am grateful to team owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer for the opportunity they gave me to be part of such a great organization. I am saddened to have to leave under these circumstances.B次元官网网址�
The Associated Press
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