PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the company that owns the Sixers, has named Tad Brown as the team’s new CEO.
Brown is replacing Scott O’Neil, who resigned last month.
Beginning Aug. 3, Brown will oversee “all business and growth functions” for HBSE, which includes the 76ers.
Brown spent nearly two decades with the Houston Rockets, the Toyota Center — where the Rockets play — and Clutch City Sports and Entertainment. Fifteen of those years were as CEO, and his time there also included the NBA’s Board of Governors.
The Rockets hosted two All-Star Games in 2006 and 2013. Brown helped create a regional sports network in Houston in 2012, now known as AT&T SportsNet Southwest. Brown was also involved in overseeing the sale of the Rockets from Leslie Alexander to Tilman Fertitta for $2.2 billion.
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“I want to thank [Sixers managing partners and HBSE co-founders] 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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Harris and Blitzer expressed a lot of excitement.
“With nearly 20 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,” said Harris.
“He is poised to continue our organization’s path forward and reach new levels of achievement,” added Blitzer.
Brown also has a 13-year history working with Sixers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey, who was in Houston for many years before coming to Philadelphia in the 2020-21 season.
He graduated from Colgate University and played on its varsity basketball team for four years, including three as a captain.
In addition to the Sixers, Brown will oversee the New Jersey Devils and the Prudential Center.