76ers president 'resigns' over burner Twitter account scandal with self-serving letter
On to the next step of “The Process.”
Former Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie was roundly criticized for purposely putting a losing team on the floor in order to accumulate high draft picks.
Hinkie resigned under pressure as a laughingstock in 2016.
That’s nothing compared with what happened next.
As the Sixers head into a summer full of promise, Hinkie’s replacement, Bryan Colangelo, brought ridicule to a new level.
After a team investigation discovered that Colangelo’s wife was responsible for running four “burner” accounts on Twitter, the president and general manager resigned Thursday.
Statement from 76ers Managing Partner Josh Harris: pic.twitter.com/eCmz42FD7P
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) June 7, 2018
In the team’s official statement, Managing Partner Josh Harris said, “The evidence supports the conclusion that Ms. Barbara Bottini, Mr. Colangelo’s wife, established the Twitter accounts and posted content on those accounts. When interviewed, Ms. Bottini admitted establishing and operating the accounts. Forensic evidence corroborates her admissions.”
The Twitter accounts were used to, among other things, question decisions by the Sixers coaching staff; attack other NBA executives, including Toronto Raptors team president Masai Ujiri; trash former and current players; and disclose nonpublic medical information about former 76er Jahlil Okafor.
In addition to being a disgraced former executive, Colangelo probably ruined his chance at being named Husband of the Year.
He made it clear in his statement that this was all his wife’s fault.
Statement from Bryan Colangelo, saying it was a misguided effort by his wife to defend him. pic.twitter.com/yBVUAZRZK6
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) June 7, 2018
“I vigorously dispute the allegation that my conduct was in any way reckless,” Colangelo said. “At no point did I ever purposefully or directly share any sensitive, non-public, club-related information with her.
“Her 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. While this was obviously a mistake, we are a family and we will work through this together.
“Although I am not directly responsible for the actions, I regret this incident occurred and understand that it has become a distraction for the team. Therefore, the organization and I have mutually agreed to part ways.”
Bryan Colangelo’s Wife Barbara Bottini IDed as The Ghost Tweeter & It Cost Her Husband His Job; Check Out Her Most LIT Tweets About Embiid & Sixers https://t.co/uVJtSY3pQs pic.twitter.com/H6rwUFWS7t
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) June 7, 2018
What was left unsaid, of course, is if Colangelo didn’t share any of that information with his wife, how did she know about Okafor’s medical information?
We may never know the answer, but we do know that head coach Brett Brown — who just signed a contract extension earlier this month — will oversee basketball operations until the team finds a new GM.
One name to keep an eye on is former Cavaliers general manager David Griffin, who helped lead Cleveland to its only title. Griffin seems to have the support of LeBron James, who is expected to meet with Philadelphia once he becomes a free agent.
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