Luukko: 'We're not selling Sixers'

Speculation recently again reared its ugly head, leading Peter Luukko, chief operating officer of Comcast-Spectacor, to say last night that "We're not selling the 76ers."

Luukko said "there are no active discussions" with any potential suitors.

"Nothing has materialized," he said. "We're going forward, excited about having the No. 2 pick in the draft, about having signed Doug Collins to be our coach."

He termed any rumor about a potential sale "an old story."

In 2006, the Sixers enlisted Galiatoto Sports Partners in New York to review and evaluate the qualifications and resources of prospective ownership groups. One group was put together by former Sixers star Julius Erving. Another led by Radnor attorney Andrew Barroway withdrew from consideration.

A source at the time said a group led by Jared Kushner, owner of the New York Observer, had toured the Wachovia Center.

In November '06, after several months of speculation, chairman Ed Snider said "it was too important" to keep the team. *

- Phil Jasner