08/18/2026
JOHNSTOWN 36ERS ANNOUNCEMENT
Leadership Transition & The Next Chapter of the Johnstown 36ers
The Johnstown 36ers organization would like to announce that CEO and League Governor Darrin “Slim” Akers will be stepping down from his public-facing role as League Governor and from the day-to-day public operations of the Johnstown 36ers.
After careful consideration and many conversations, we have mutually agreed that this is the best decision for the organization, our partners, our players, our fans, and the entire Johnstown community.
Mr. Akers will remain actively involved in the organization, particularly in the financial and business operations of the franchise, but he will take a significantly less public role. He will no longer be as involved in the promotion, public relations, and daily community interactions that he has handled since bringing the organization to Johnstown.
This is not a departure from the Johnstown 36ers.
It is a strategic adjustment designed to make the organization stronger.
Over the past several months, Darrin Akers has spent countless hours working to build the Johnstown 36ers into something that represents far more than basketball. His vision has always been to build a community-first professional sports organization that gives Johnstown something to be proud of and demonstrates to the outside world what this city is truly capable of becoming.
Mr. Akers has a tremendous love for the City of Johnstown and its people. His passion for this organization is undeniable. At times, however, that passion and dedication have become lost in the back-and-forth that has taken place online. His strong opinions and commitment to protecting the organization have sometimes been perceived as unprofessional when, in reality, they have come from his deep personal investment in the franchise he worked tirelessly to build.
The organization believes the best way forward is for Mr. Akers to focus those talents where they can have the greatest impact: building the financial foundation and long-term business structure of the Johnstown 36ers.
A NEW LEADER FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER
Taking over the public leadership role will be Joseph P. Richmond, NBA G League executive, longtime basketball professional, and community ambassador with the Delaware Blue Coats.
We ask the entire Johnstown community to give Mr. Richmond a tremendous Johnstown welcome.
Mr. Richmond will immediately begin working to usher in the next phase of the organization, including the introduction of our new General Manager and Head Coach, which will be announced in the coming weeks.
This transition allows the organization to combine Mr. Akers' business and financial vision with Mr. Richmond's extensive basketball and professional sports experience.
The vision has not changed. The mission has not changed. We are simply strengthening the team behind the team.
ADDRESSING RECENT CONVERSATION
There has been significant discussion and back-and-forth on social media in recent days concerning the Johnstown 36ers, our ownership, and the organization's move from Atlantic City, New Jersey.
We believe it is important to address those matters directly.
The Johnstown 36ers organization maintains that the franchise has no outstanding debt owed to anyone and has never received a government loan, government grant, or similar government funding.
There have also been public statements made by a former coach concerning compensation following his termination.
The organization's position is that the coach was terminated based upon concerns regarding performance and professionalism, and we stand behind the decisions made by Mr. Akers and the organization in handling that matter.
We will not allow online disputes to distract us from our mission or the future we are building in Johnstown.
WHY JOHNSTOWN?
The Johnstown 36ers were recently acquired and relocated from Atlantic City, New Jersey, to Johnstown.
There has been speculation regarding the reasons for that move, including claims that we believe are simply not accurate.
Our focus is not on reliving the past.
Our focus is Johnstown.
Mr. Akers has worked tirelessly to demonstrate that Johnstown is a city with tremendous potential — a city with hardworking people, passionate fans, great businesses, strong community organizations, and a history worth celebrating.
He has been one of the organization's biggest advocates for proving that Johnstown is not a city destined to fail and not the crime-infested community some outsiders may portray it to be.
Johnstown deserves investment.
Johnstown deserves opportunity.
Johnstown deserves professional sports.
And Johnstown deserves an organization that believes in it.
That organization is the Johnstown 36ers.
THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
We want to sincerely thank the organizations and businesses that have believed in our vision and stood with us:
- Bridges Not Barriers Foundation
- Grow It Forward Johnstown
- Flood City Films
- Forte Dance Center
Your support means more than you know, and we are proud to have you alongside us as we continue building this organization.
We also want to thank Mayor King, Johnstown City Council, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Barber, Mr. Penna, and City Manager Mr. Martynuiaka for connecting with our organization and welcoming the Johnstown 36ers to the community with open arms.
We greatly appreciate the relationships we are building with the City of Johnstown and look forward to continuing those partnerships.
A special thank-you also goes to Leo, the Johnstown Galleria family, and all of the businesses at the Galleria that have supported the 36ers and our efforts thus far.
THE RISE CONTINUES
The Johnstown 36ers are proud to call Johnstown home.
We are proud of what has already been accomplished.
And we are even more excited about what comes next.
There are major announcements coming in the next several weeks as we continue assembling the people, programs, partnerships, and basketball personnel necessary to bring a truly special Johnstown 36ers team to life.
Darrin “Slim” Akers may be stepping away from the public spotlight, but his commitment to this organization has not changed.
His role is changing.
The mission is not.
The standard is not.
The vision is not.
We will continue building a community-first, professionally operated ABA franchise that represents the pride, resilience, history, and future of Johnstown.
We are on a rise.
The Johnstown 36ers are here to stay.
The mission continues.
The best is still ahead.
— Johnstown 36ers Organization
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
