Utah Jazz: 76ers’ CEO O’Neil not SLC-bound (but he is angry)
By Ryan Aston
Philadelphia 76ers CEO Scott O’Neil has strongly refuted a report that he’s set to join the Utah Jazz.
For most of the 2017-18 season, fans of the Utah Jazz and the Philadelphia 76ers have exchanged barbs over social media. The cause for their contention — the Rookie of the Year race between Jazzman Donovan Mitchell and the Sixers’ Ben Simmons.
I guess they can’t both be great basketball players. There are vocal contingents on both sides that would have you believe as much, anyway.
There was more Jazz-76ers drama this week, only this time it had nothing to do with the Slam Dunk Champion and the former No. 1 overall pick. And the Twitter jabs were left to one of the Sixers’ top-ranking execs and a Philly sports anchor and radio host.
The fracas began when the latter, Howard Eskin of Sports Radio 94 WIP and Fox 29 TV, reported that 76ers CEO Scott O’Neil was leaving the team to join the Jazz.
.@howardeskin just reported on our show that Scott O’Neil is leaving the Sixers to take a job with the Utah Jazz. More changes coming for the Sixers.
— The WIP Evening Show (@WIPEvenings) June 11, 2018
In short order, O’Neil served up a bristling response with the following tweet —
Once again, ‘unnamed sources’ by a tired ex-reporter turn to be false, unsubstantiated and, well, once again made up. #sourcesmatter #2amslot go sixers https://t.co/ymSsT7XBWO
— Scott O'Neil (@ScottONeil) June 11, 2018
Eskin later fired back —
Actually very full of energy. But thanks for the interest and concern. And what I said is that you are possibly going to Utah Jazz. I know it’s been discussed. @SportsRadioWIP https://t.co/Mo8aJezHGp
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) June 11, 2018
Long list that feel like you Joe. #sixers fans are tired of @ScottONeil act. @SportsRadioWIP https://t.co/HYyXWLHSoE
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) June 11, 2018
If the story is, in fact, false, it probably should get called out. And it does seem strange that O’Neil would leave his post when he’s also the top executive for the NHL’s New Jersey Devils. Although he is a member of the LDS church, the predominant faith in Utah.
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I also wonder what his role within the Jazz organization would even be in this scenario.
That said, color me glad that Jazz execs aren’t on Twitter fighting with members of the Salt Lake media. As wild as it might be to see Jazz president Steve Starks shoot hard on Andy Larsen’s chess strategy or Tony Jones’ appreciation of Biggie Smalls, that kind of thing doesn’t exactly exude professionalism.
Bottom line — the Jazz organization isn’t really about that sort of thing.
Say what you will about the report, or whether O’Neil had conversations with the Jazz. His fiery tweet probably isn’t a great look for himself or the Sixers regardless. I’m kind of surprised anyone in the team’s hierarchy is even willing to mix it up on Twitter at this point.
Bad things happen when they (or their spouses) do.