Onlookers scramble to grab Sixers t-shirts

Onlookers scramble to grab Sixers t-shirts

Well, this is just all types of sad.

The Sixers held a t-shirt tour in the city today. Judging by the Twitter photos, it didn’t seem to interest many people.

It’s all part of Blue Week. Blue, because it’s brought to you by Independence Blue Cross:

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I get it:

The Philadelphia 76ers today announced their full schedule for Blue Week, presented by Independence Blue Cross & SIXERS STRONG, a series of events and promotions to get fans ready for the team’s home opener on October 30 when they host the defending Champion Miami Heat at the Wells Fargo Center at 7:00 p.m. in a game presented by Independence Blue Cross.

Tickets are available now for opening night online at SIXERS.COM, by phone at 215-339-7676 and in person at the Wells Fargo Center box office.

“Blue Week provides a great platform for us to get the community excited for opening night on October 30thagainst the Miami Heat,” said Sixers CEO Scott O’Neil. “Our entire team and staff, opening night and Blue Week partner Independence Blue Cross, and other businesses throughout the city are joining us as we celebrate the start of the regular season, taking part in events to bring health and wellness to children in the city through SIXERS STRONG, provide fun giveaways and pep rallies for fans, and prepare Philadelphia for our big game.”

“Independence Blue Cross is all about enhancing the health and wellness of the people we serve, and like the Sixers we’re committed to driving positive change and building a healthy, strong and thriving community,” said Daniel J. Hilferty, president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross. “We salute the Sixers for making children’s nutrition and fitness a priority as the team prepares for the home opener.”

What’s to love: a health and wellness initiative to help children. What’s not to love: a marketing slogan seemingly derived from Boston Strong, a rallying cry used in the wake off a terrorist bombing.

But back to the Blue thing. The Phillies do Paint the Town Red Week, but it’s not sponsored by Target, or any other company for that matter. The Sixers, though… in the name of Blue Cross, they’ll be rolling out a blue carpet next week, they have changed their Twitter logo to all blue…

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… are tossing out blue t-shirts…

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… all while ridding themselves of the one thing that is truly blue– today cutting undrafted free agent Vander Blue.

Shame. His name would’ve worked perfectly for Blue Week. So would Tier 2 sponsors such as Blue Man Group, Blue’s Clues, blue balls and, well, Blue!

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Anyway, no one seems excited for Sixers Blue Week. It’s on-par with that eye exam… which, of course, can be covered by Independence Blue Cross.

Photos via the Sixers’ Twitter