Sixers president of business operations Chris Heck to leave team

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In a statement released by the Sixers on Tuesday morning, Chris Heck announced he’ll be leaving his role as the organization’s president of business operations at the end of June.

Heck joined the Sixers in 2013 as chief sales and marketing officer and has been president of business operations since 2017. 

“I want to thank the leadership of Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment for this incredible professional opportunity to lead one of the most important brands in professional sports,” Heck said in the Sixers’ statement. “The last nine years have been the most rewarding and challenging of my professional career. Alongside some amazing colleagues, we filled our stands with passionate fans, created memories for a lifetime, and earned the support and loyalty of dozens of world-class partners. Thank you to our tremendously talented marketing, sales, and sponsorship staff at the Sixers - you are the best in the business. And most importantly, thank you to the fans of Philadelphia, you truly are the best in the world.” 

Heck, a Villanova graduate, previously served as president of business operations for Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls and worked in the NBA’s league office. 

Scott O’Neil, who also began with the Sixers in 2013, stepped down last June as CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Sixers and New Jersey Devils. HBSE hired former Rockets CEO Tad Brown to fill that opening. 

Josh Harris remains the Sixers’ managing partner, David Blitzer the organization’s co-managing partner. 

“We deeply appreciate Chris’ contributions and leadership over the last nine years,” Harris and Blitzer said in the team statement. “He was instrumental in fueling our business growth and helped establish the 76ers as a truly global brand. Most importantly, Chris had a passion for ensuring the team used its platform to make a positive impact in the Philadelphia community. We wish him much success in the future and thank him for his dedication to the team and city.” 

Heck told The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey he “made this decision back in February” and had been discussing it with Harris and Blitzer for months. 

On the basketball operations side, things will be busy for the Sixers (and the NBA in general) over the next month. The Sixers have the 23rd pick in the NBA draft, which will be held June 23 in Brooklyn. Free agency will begin July 1. 

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