Associated Press

The 76ers’ brass lost a key figure Wednesday, when Rod Thorn was named the NBA’s president of basketball operations.

Thorn, who had served as the Sixers’ president, was set to transition into a consultant’s role for the team moving forward. Instead, he had to sever ties with the team in order to accept the league gig.

“My role with the Sixers going forward was one of being a consultant and it wasn’t going to be an everyday type of thing anyway,” Thorn said by phone. “This is obviously a job that is every day and it’s a different thing.”

Thorn, who will be in charge of basketball and referee operations leaguewide, said the promotion was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.

“It’s a great opportunity for me and I’m very excited about it,” he said.