If something’s broken, try and fix it. It’s a lesson Scott O’Neil learned early in his professional life and one that he hopes carries over in his new role as CEO of the struggling Philadelphia 76ers.
O’Neil landed an entry-level sales position with the New Jersey (now Brooklyn) Nets after graduating from Villanova University with a marketing degree in 1992. He recalled about seven months into the job, deciding to fix a broken copier machine while senior team executives were meeting nearby. Then Nets President Jon Spoelstra (father of Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra) asked the young man why he was fixed the copier. O’Neil said he simply responded by saying, “Because it’s broken.” Spoelstra then called O’Neil into his office. O’Neil thought he was getting fired. Turns out his display of hard work earned him his first promotion.