This is amazing. Despite reports (from Howard Eskin, Dei Lynam and the Inquirer) to the contrary, and despite the team refusing to comment earlier today, the Sixers have NOT fired Adam Aron, according to Bob Cooney of the Daily News, who had just written a rather long article about Aron reportedly being fired.

Cooney now says: “76ers spokesperson Michael Preston has confirmed to the Daily News that, despite reports, CEO Adam Aron has not been fired. Adam, who has been associated in the business world with majority owner Josh Harris for over 20 years, also is a minority owner of the team.”

That makes the initial report, from Eskin, and these confirmations, from the Inquirer and Lynam, look quite bad (and yes, I cited the Inquirer’s confirmation earlier):

Screen Shot 2013-06-24 at 9.00.15 PM Screen Shot 2013-06-24 at 9.03.19 PM

Now, this may be a matter of semantics. Both the Inquirer and Lynam confirmed that Aron was fired or out as CEO. It’s possible that he is, in fact, out as CEO, but still, as a minority owner or otherwise, with the team. Cooney wrote that his role may change.

Regardless, this is a clusterfuck for the Sixers. These reports came out hours ago and the team initially declined comment. Their PR man, Mike Preston, looks like a dope right about now.

This comment is looking more and more prophetic.