Sixers begin vote for new mascot
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Sixers begin vote for new mascot
The Sixers' new ownership decided pretty early on that HipHop was going to be no more. That was backed up by overwhelmingly negative reaction from fans.
The team announced the move two weeks ago, saying it had hired Jim Henson's Creature Shop and Raymond Entertainment Group, founded by Dave Raymond, the former Phillie Phanatic.
The owners wanted to go with a colonial theme, but realized there is not an obvious tie-in with the 76ers name. They also wanted to stress an element of Ben Franklin.
The owners reviewed drawings and have selected three finalists. Voting is beginning today at SixersMascotFanVote.com.
You can see the drawings and vote by clicking the link.
The three finalists are:
* A 7-foot tall rendition of Ben Franklin, named "Big Ben."
* B. Franklin Dogg, the All-American pet, adapted from artist drawings from the day nestled under the table beside Franklin.
* Phil E. Moose, a 7-foot tall adaption of a basketball player; the moose being "one of the most regal animals to roam the wild."
“A new era is beginning for the Philadelphia 76ers under new ownership and we welcome Philadelphia sports fans helping us to select the new Sixers mascot,” CEO Adam Aron said. “Jim Henson’s Creature Shop has done an outstanding job in giving Philadelphia fans three heart-warming characters to embrace.”
Aron continued, “It’s un-American not to like B. Franklin Dogg, who after all is man’s best friend. With his great height, Phil E. Moose is a natural who can stand tall defending and cheering the Sixers as they take on all comers. And then there is lovable, venerable Big Ben, perhaps the greatest Philadelphian of all time.”
Once selected, Raymond will help bring the new mascot to life. The new mascot is expected to be unveiled early in the season.
They all stink....— plaurie- Thanks plaurie for posting the first comment. Sixers the fans have spoken. I hope no one votes on the website and they get the message. A squirrel, a pheasant, a turkey or a pigeon would have been better if they wanted a colonel theme. I'd vote for Teen Wolf and call it a day.
— jojotr44 - What a sad effort. Hard to believe they couldn't come up with something better than this.— dawkins20d
- I like Big Ben. A sleeveless old man is always a winner. But... that name has been taken by the QB for the Steelers. And, a clock bell in London.— road515
- "BRICK MAN" FTW!— zwarte piet
- Me too, where's brick man? They had bricks back in the colonial days too. He could be a left over brick from Independence Hall.
— Tacony Palmyra - On WIP the other day someone suggested a colonial dressed Phanatic for the Sixers. Kind of like the Philly Phanatics brother. I liked that idea. What is the only thing better than one Phanatic, and that is two Phanatics.— Bobphxville
- They're really serious about this? Do they really need a mascot for a pro basketball team? Did Dr. J and Moses have one when they won the last title? They'll morph one of these abominations into a rappin, hip hoppin, gansta lovin joke. Too bad the lockout was settled.— fentonhardy
- Fentonhardy very funny, very true. The one thing the Sixers can do, other then win, is open up practices to the public, like the Flyers do at the Skate Zone. Let the fans, see what it takes. Oh wait, only Lou Williams is there. " We talkin bout practice"— Chosen one
- Of course the suck. I mean the phanatic? It sounds like it sucks too but it doesn't. Give it time.— eaglessuperfan
- How about Poochie from the Simpsons? Why a moose? Big Ben is from the Steelers. I agree - a sad effort.— LarryAW
- How about we just do without a mascot? Truly, do not use Big Ben. Half the population will think of Ben Rothlisberger, a man generally you dont want you kids to celebrate. The others???? Wow, who got them down to a Moose and a racially motivated mispelling of dog representing a womanizer?— LGbalsac
- Brick man and the invisible fans!— Pelti
- How about an eskimo....it will be fitting for when the team moves to the Alaskan tundra to get more fans who care about this sorry sack of a pro sport & franchise.— kelprod2
Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.
