Sixers Probing Allegations Of President Bryan Colangelo Using Anonymous Twitter Accounts To Criticize Players

The Philadelphia 76ers are investigating president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo because of allegations into his use of Twitter.

76ers Investigating Bryan Colangelo For Twitter Use

According to an ESPN report on Wednesday, Colangelo is being accused of using several anonymous Twitter accounts to criticize Sixers players, among other things.

The Ringer also reported that in February, it received an anonymous tip that alleged Colangelo had been clandestinely using five Twitter accounts. The tip claimed the executive used the social media platform as a way to blast players like Markelle Fultz and Joel Embiid, to reveal confidential information like players’ medical history to local and national media outlets, and to push theories as to why the 76ers decided to trade or acquire certain players.

“An online media outlet filed a story linking multiple social media accounts to 76ers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo. The allegations are serious and we have commenced an independent investigation into the matter,” the team’s statement said. “We will report the results of that investigation as soon as it is concluded.”

Colangelo shared a statement with The Ringer on Tuesday in which he detailed his use of one of the Twitter accounts and denied any affiliation with the other four.

“Like many of my colleagues in sports, I have used social media as a means to keep up with the news,” the statement said. “While I have never posted anything whatsoever on social media, I have used the @Phila1234567 Twitter account referenced in this story to monitor our industry and other current events. This storyline is disturbing to me on many levels, as I am not familiar with any of the other accounts that have been brought to my attention, nor do I know who is behind them or what their motives may be in using them.”

Embiid made a joke on Twitter about the claims against Colangelo, and even tweeted at one of the anonymous accounts.

Embiid was referring to the fact that one of the accounts criticized former Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie, as well as Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri, who previously worked with Colangelo.

Colangelo has been the Sixers’ president since 2016. The 76ers reached the playoffs this year for the first time in six seasons. They lost to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Head coach Brett Brown agreed to a three-year contract extension on Tuesday, according to ESPN.