The 76ers announced in a press release on Monday afternoon that former Rockets CEO Ted Brown will be hired for the same role as Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, which controls the 76ers and the New Jersey Devils. The ownership group of the team. Brown succeeded Scott O’Neal in the position vacated. He recently announced that he will leave the organization to look for opportunities that are currently unknown.

“We are very happy to welcome Tad to the HBSE family,” Joshua Harris said in a statement. “Tad is an outstanding leader in our industry and is passionate about innovation and community involvement. With nearly 20 years of experience leading the Houston Rockets and Toyota Center, we believe he will bring new vitality to our team, organization and local community And new ideas.”

“I want to thank Josh Harris and David Blitzer for giving this rare opportunity to lead HBSE to the next chapter,” Brown added. “This role not only allows me to work for innovators like Josh and David; it also allows me to work with some of the best people in the industry gathered in the HBSE organization. This is a world-class sports and entertainment organization and care about it. The cities served and the fans. My family and I are happy to start our new journey and I am eager to help guide HBSE to a higher level.”

Brown announced in the Rockets that he will “transition from his role in Houston” after the 2020-21 season. He is the backbone of the Rockets. His time in Houston predates Daryl Morey’s arrival in 2006. Originally as Houston’s vice president of corporate development prior to the 2002-03 season, Brown was appointed chief executive in 2006, approximately six months after Morey became the assistant general manager of the Rockets.

On the surface, Brown’s work with the 76ers (and the Devils) will be responsible for managing the business unit. Given the not-too-distant past in Philadelphia, the line between business and basketball operations has blurred, and most fans want it. Keep this state. Brown certainly has some advantages in this regard. He is considered an indispensable figure in the Houston area TV deal. In addition, he also serves on the NBA Media Committee, handling the ins and outs of various rights packages.

In the near future, this experience may provide a good service for Brown and the 76ers. In recent months, after the NBC Sports Network announced that it would be closed at the end of 2021, sports business publications speculated on the future of the NBC Sports regional network.The Wall Street Journal reported in May that NBCUniversal (owned by Comcast) was exploring the process of RSN sales, and the New York Post Recent report Sinclair Broadcasting Group made an offer to acquire NBC’s seven regional networks, including Philadelphia. This is a constantly changing situation, and no matter what the outcome is, it will have a huge financial impact. People with a certain level of expertise in this field should help the 76ers.

In addition to the business aspect, Brown also pays special attention to building relationships with Houston’s best players to make them happy.James Harden mentions Brown As a father figure While in Houston, Brown not only spent time with Harden, but also with Harden’s mother. Brown also traveled to China with Yao Ming early in his Rockets career to understand the importance of the Chinese center to his homeland. Perhaps most importantly, he is someone Daryl Morey seems to trust enough to reunite the two in the new organization.

Frankly speaking, as a sports fan, the less you know about business, the better. If Brown helps the 76ers make a lot of money and makes star players happy, it will be enough to make it a successful mercenary.

Follow Kyle on Twitter: @Kyle newback