Billionaires pinching pennies, what else is new? According to Keith Pompey, the 76ers let go of 17 staff members late last night. Pompey stated the 76ers’ reasoning behind the layoffs was to “save money.” Among the fired staff members are Blue Coats GM Matt Lilly, senior director of equipment operations Scott Rego, and scouting coordinator Christian Endrigian.

In total, the 76ers laid off half of their scouting department, the leader of their G-League franchise, and an equipment manager who has devoted 34 years of his life to the franchise to save a few dollars? 

This situation is far from the first time penny pincher Josh Harris has tried to save every dollar he could. From selling second-round picks to forcing employees to take 20% pay cuts during COVID-19, which led to Joel Embiid stepping in and donating $500,000 amongst numerous other instances.

Harris is not in over his head either. The Sixers owner is worth over $5.4 billion yet has to cut out integral parts of his organization to save what would probably be pocket change to him. It’s concerning to see these cost-saving maneuvers begin to affect the franchise’s day-to-day operations.

Never once in my entire life have I seen a GENERAL MANAGER fired only to save money, just after taking the team to their first-ever G-League finals. Meanwhile, the Sixers just gave Joel Embiid a well-deserved supermax worth nearly $200 million. Hopefully, the outrage from the news across social media will make Harris and company realize they made the wrong choice (it wouldn’t be the first time).

Mandatory Credit: AP