Will Sixers Fire GM Bryan Colangelo Amid Twitter Controversy?

PHILADELPHIA – A new ESPN report says Philadelphia 76ers GM and president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo could be dismissed by the organization as heat ramps up amid an investigation into anonymous critical Twitter accounts linked to him.

On May 29, Ben Detrick of the sports website The Ringer wrote a piece alleging Colangelo was using anonymous Twitter accounts to criticize Sixers players, including Joel Embidd and Markelle Fultz; share team secrets, such as trade and player health information; and skewer Sixers coaching decisions.

Five separate Twitter accounts were linked to Colangelo, according to Detrick's reporting.

Colangelo has publicly denied the accusations of anonymously using the social media platform for nefarious purposes. However, one of the accounts, @Phila1234567, was confirmed to belong to Colangelo, which he said he used to "monitor our industry and other current events," per the Ringer.

But the team has since launched an investigation, and NBA sources told ESPN that the team is weighing dismissing Colangelo over the controversy.

The outlet reports talks of letting him go ramped up after his wife, Barbara Bottini became a person of interest in the investigation.

"An online media outlet filed a story linking multiple social media accounts to 76ers President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo," the team wrote in a statement regarding the investigation and allegations. "The allegations are serious and we have commenced an independent investigation into the matter. We will report the results of that investigation as soon as it is concluded."

NBA sources told Philly.com that unless whoever was using the accounts slipped up in hiding their tracks, it's will be very difficult to prove who the rogue tweeter was.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said during a press conference Thursday prior to game 1 of the NBA finals that the controversy was not what the league wants to be talking about, but nonetheless its gaining buzz on the same level as the finals.

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