About two weeks after it was announced that Scott O'Neil had stepped down as the CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), the parent company that owns the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, his successor has been named.
According to a press release, Tad Brown will become the new CEO of HBSE and thus become an important head of both the Sixers and Devils. This move comes after 15 years as the CEO of the Houston Rockets, a long stay which ended only a few months ago after Brown decided to step down in April.
"We are thrilled to welcome Tad to the HBSE family," said HBSE Co-Founder Josh Harris (via NBA.com). "Tad is an exceptional leader in our industry, and one with a deep passion for innovation and community engagement. With nearly twenty years’ experience leading the Houston Rockets and Toyota Center, we are confident that he will bring a fresh energy and new ideas to our teams, organization and local communities."
"Tad has an extensive track record of success in the sports and entertainment industry, and we are excited to have him on board to lead our elite management team for HBSE’s next chapter," said Co-Founder David Blitzer. "With his experience and passion for growing businesses and global brands, he is poised to continue our organization’s path forward and reach new levels of achievement."
While in Houston, Brown spent a lot of time with then-Rockets GM Daryl Morey and found a lot of success with the franchise over 13 years, compiling the second-best record in the NBA in that span (640-400). The two had a "close working relationship," writes ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, adding that they have a "shorthand" of understanding and conversation that has helped them find success. That chemistry can now continue in Philadelphia, where Morey enjoyed a first-place debut season as President of Basketball Operations.
Brown's impact on the Houston Rockets on the business side was also great, as he helped the franchise to set Toyota Center records for sellouts, attendance, total events and customer satisfaction, with two All-Star Games (2006 and 2013) in town. Those two events made the Toyota Center the first NBA arena to have a pair of All-Star Games over a seven-year span.
Brown's charitable and philanthropic effort with the Rockets was another lasting touch he had on the city, as he acted as President of the Houston Children's Charities and was a board member for several community organizations.
"I want to thank Josh Harris and David Blitzer for this incredible opportunity to lead HBSE in its next chapter," Brown said. "This role not only allows me to work for innovators like Josh and David; it also allows me to work alongside some of the industry’s best talent that has been assembled across the HBSE organization. This is a world-class sports and entertainment organization that cares about the cities and fans it serves. My family and I are thrilled to begin our new journey and I’m eager to help guide HBSE to even greater heights."
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