IS STOCKPILING DEFENSEMEN
One of the repercussions of the Phillies playing in the World Series is a change in the starting time for the Sixers' first game. Scheduled for tomorrow night at the Wachovia Center against the Raptors, the game now will begin at 6.
Originally, that idea was kicked around in case a Game 6 was being played, as scheduled, back down in Florida. The thought was that fans could see the Sixers game, then either head home or to a Phillies viewing party or just stay in the Center and watch the game. But now, with a resumption of Game 5 now tentatively scheduled for tomorrow night, the idea makes even more sense. No doubt some people who hold Sixers tickets to tomorrow's game also have tickets to Game 5 of the World Series, which probably wouldn't start until around 8:45 if it is played tomorrow. That's because presidential candidate Barack Obama's advertised program, which is running on Fox and several other networks, will run from 8 to 8:30.
In short, fans could watch the Sixers, then have plenty of time to cross Pattison Avenue and get themselves settled in the ballpark. Be aware that this Sixers change is set in stone now. Even if bad weather postpones the Phillies again tomorrow, the start time is officially 6 p.m.
The AT&T Pavilion at the Wachovia Center will remain open after the Sixers game late into the evening for fans to watch the last few innings of the baseball game with half-price domestic beer specials and food. Access to the AT&T Pavilion after the Sixers game will be free and open to the public.
Paul Vigna still has the seat he wrestled out of the concrete at Connie Mack Stadium parked in the finished basement, a 1980 Phillies championship mirror hanging above it. Now, why he’s kept an autograph of former Flyer Bruce Gamble on a sheet of Hockey Hall of Fame paper is another story. A native of Philly who grew up in Lansdale, he’s an assistant sports editor at the Daily News in charge of special projects who has written two columns related to sports and consumers: View From the Seats and Savvy Consumer.
ABOUT THIS BLOG:
Athletic contests were, for a long time, simply fun and games. Nowadays they’re just a small part of a sports entertainment industry that puts billions of dollars into play and a number of issues into motion. Moneyball indeed. You might be closer to the action than ever before, but that privilege comes at a price - and often it’s beyond what you can afford.
With that as the backdrop we’ll use this blog to dig out stories and swap advice about how the fan experience is changing and what it’s costing you now and in the future. Some of it will educate, some will let you vent. And in a sports panel format, it should allow for a consensus of opinion that can carry some weight.
