Insights

A Conversation with Philadelphia 76ers CEO Scott O’Neil

December 17, 2013
Herrick, Feinstein LLP

2 Park Avenue

New York City

Herrick hosted a Harvard Business School Club of New York conversation with Philadelphia 76ers CEO Scott O'Neil.

Two decades into his career in professional sports, Scott O’Neil reached the pinnacle in July 2013, when he was named the CEO of the Philadelphia 76ers. He is charged with rejuvenating a glorious franchise, which has a strong fan base and is home to some of the greatest players in NBA history.

Mr. O'Neil shared his perspectives on the business of sports and the Philadelphia 76ers, shared details about his new role and outlined the challenges of running an NBA franchise.

Speaker Biography:

Scott O’Neil is CEO of the Philadelphia 76ers basketball franchise. Prior to joining the 76ers, O’Neil served as president of Madison Square Garden Sports, where he oversaw the business operations of The Madison Square Garden Company’s (MSG) three professional sports teams, the New York Knicks, New York Rangers and New York Liberty.

O’Neil was the key architect in several of the largest deals in NBA history, resulting in record-setting revenue in sponsorships, tickets and suites. His team signed JPMorgan Chase as MSG’s first-ever Marquee Partner and also secured Signature Partnerships with Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, Kia Motors and Lexus, all of which incorporated MSG’s sports, entertainment and media assets as well as those of the transformed Madison Square Garden arena.

O'Neil came to MSG from the National Basketball Association (NBA), where as senior vice president, he oversaw the league’s team marketing and business operations. He advised NBA and WNBA teams on ticket sales and service, sponsorship development, and marketing. He also managed the NBA’s Canadian business, Relationship Marketing, and the NBA Development League.

Earlier in his career, O’Neil honed his sales and marketing expertise with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he became vice president of sales, and the New Jersey Nets, where he began his career as a marketing assistant.

O’Neil holds a degree in marketing from Villanova University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.