Sixers call Forbes report 'inaccurate and not true'

NEW YORK – The 76ers denied a Forbes article that stated co-managing partners Josh Harris and David Blitzer want "to flip" the franchise.

The magazine published an article Thursday morning about Harris and Blitzer becoming major investors in the Crystal Palace Football Team in London. Quoting a business partner of Blitzer, Forbes reported that they purchased the team as a way "to get to know the market" in London because their goal is to put an expansion NFL team there, according to the article.

"Those are inaccurate and not true," Sixers spokeman Mike Preston said. "Josh has said in early October that he intents to be involved in the Sixers for many, many years to come. That has not changed."

However, Forbes quoted a source that said: "They're more interested in getting the NFL in London than they are in the NBA,'' the source told Forbes. "Their No. 1 goal is to get the NFL team in London. They want to flip the Sixers anyway.''

The ownership group bought the Sixers in 2011 for around $285 million.

Follow and contact Inquirer 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter @PompeyOnSiers and Instagram at PompeyOnSixer