Colangelo and Sixers part ways

Sixers president Bryan Colangelo has been burned by his wife’s social media activity.

Colangelo and the Sixers agreed to part ways on Thursday, with the 53-year-old offering his resignation following an investigation into his involvement of the alleged use of burner social media accounts on Twitter to criticize players and the team.

The investigation by the independant law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison found that Colangelo’s wife, Barbara Bottini, admitted to establishing the Twitter accounts and posting on them.

Bottini also deleted the contents of her iPhone through a factory reset of the device prior to submitting it for forensic review, which further impeded the investigation.

The firm was unable to conclude that Colangelo was aware of his wife’s Twitter accounts but did determine that he was the source that provided the information that was tweeted out.

“Our investigation revealed substantial evidence that Mr. Colangelo was the source of sensitive, nonpublic, club-related information contained in certain posts to the Twitter accounts,” the firm said. “We believe that Mr. Colangelo was careless and in some instances reckless in failing to properly safeguard sensitive, non-public, club-related information in communications with individuals outside the 76ers organization.”

The controversial tweets included sharing of confidential medical information about Markelle Fultz and Jahlil Okafor as well as defenses of Colangelo’s job and criticisms of star center Joel Embiid and Colangelo’s predecessor, Sam Hinkie.

The Ringer first reported the use of five burner accounts involving Colangelo last week, but he admitted to using one — which did not post any tweets.

The Sixers also released a statement on the mutual decision to part ways.

“It has become clear Bryan’s relationship with our team and his ability to lead the 76ers moving forward has been compromised,” they said. “Recognizing the detrimental impact ths matter had on the orgainzation, Colangelo offered his resignation. We find the siutation to be disappointing for our entire organization. We are determined to continue the tremendous progress we have made over the last two seasons in our quest to win an NBA Championship.”

Sixers coach Brett Brown will oversee basketball operations on an interim basis and the team will commence its search for a new GM immediately.