OAKLAND, Calif. — Adam Silver, speaking Thursday before Game 1 of the Cleveland-Golden State matchup at the NBA finals, addressed numerous topics including a conversation with 76ers officials after a story was broken earlier this week about team president Bryan Colangelo inappropriately using five Twitter accounts and how they were used.

The 76ers retained an independent law firm to determine whether Colangelo used the Twitter accounts. Colangelo has acknowledged using one of the accounts to monitor NBA happenings.

“Let’s find out what’s going on,” Silver said. “We have to separate the chatter and sort of what either fans or frankly the media are saying from the facts. The first thing we have to do here is determine what the actual facts are in this circumstance.”

Silver touched on many other topics in his annual address, including:

SPORTS BETTING: There will be wagering on Game 3 of the NBA finals, at least in Delaware casinos. State officials announced that full-scale sports betting will begin there at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Delaware is the first state to take advantage of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that permits states to allow sports wagering. Other states are trying to follow suit quickly.

Advertisement

The NBA has told states it is seeking a 1 percent cut of betting, which it is calling an “integrity fee” to help offset the costs of enforcement incurred by the league office and also to serve as a royalty.

Silver said the NBA game is the league’s “intellectual property, and we think we should be compensated for it.”

STERLING BROWN: Silver has seen the footage of police using a Taser on Milwaukee guard Sterling Brown during an incident outside a Walgreens store in January, one that started over a parking violation.

“I saw the video for the first time when the public saw it,” Silver said. “It’s horrific. For any of us, regardless of the fact that he’s an NBA player, it was difficult to watch. It’s painful.”

Silver said some NBA teams have had meetings with police in various communities, trying to improve relations.

EXPANSION: Silver said there are no plans for expansion.

Advertisement

NOTES

76ERS: Philadelphia officially announced a three-year contract extension for Coach Brett Brown.

Brown, the South Portland native who took the 76ers from 10 wins to the third seed in the Eastern Conference in just two seasons, received a new deal that runs through the 2021-2022 season.

The Sixers won 52 games this season.

Copy the Story Link

Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.