Sixers

[UPDATE] Ah, What the Hell is This Sixers-Devils Announcement?

By Kyle Scott

Published: Jan 8th, 2014 · 11:58 AM EST

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I truly have no idea what this is about:

The Devils, Prudential Center and Philadelphia 76ers are making a "Major Announcement" tomorrow, before the Devils-Stars game.

— Mike Halford (@MikeHalford604) January 8, 2014

Sixers "legends" in attendance: Iverson, Dawkins & Malone. Devils "legends": Daneyko, Driver, Dowd & Marshall, hence the air quotes.

— Mike Halford (@MikeHalford604) January 8, 2014

I’m guessing, and crossing-fingers (for the sake of Joshua Harris’ well-being), that this might have something to do with recent executive board additions to the two teams owned and CEOed by Harris and Scott O’Neil:

O’Neil continues to bolster the senior executive staff for the Sixers, Devils and Prudential Center during a time of continued growth on the business side. Andy Goldstein (Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President), Brad Shron (Executive Vice President and General Counsel) and Jim Leonard (Senior Vice President of Community Investment) have been added to the staff and will be based in Newark, assuming duties primarily for the Devils and Prudential Center, and as necessary, the Sixers, while Philadelphia has named Tim McDermott the Sixers Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer. All will report directly to O’Neil.

But I don’t know. Rolling out Iverson and Dawkins (what’s with that dickbag and the air quotes?) for something like that? Strange. Especially when you consider that they’re brining them to the Prudential Center, not to Philly.

As Sixers/Devils prep for 'major announcement' Thu at The Rock, here's Sixers owner Josh Harris from Aug. "The Sixers are staying in Philly"

— Josh Newman (@Joshua_Newman) January 8, 2014

Let the speculating begin!

UPDATE: The early theory on Twitter is that Harris might bring some Sixers “home games” to The Rock. Which would be the worst PR idea ever, in the history of ever, in Philadelphia.

UPDATE 2:

Can confirm the #Sixers–#Devils press conference tomorrow is NOT about any potential relocation of either franchise.

— Mike Sielski (@MikeSielski) January 8, 2014

No surprise. But this is a bad PR decision all the way around for Harris. No one in Philly will, or should, appreciate Harris rolling Iverson out in front of Devils fans for some big announcement. Sports are provincial. Always have been. This is silly.

UPDATE 3:

https://twitter.com/NHLDevils/status/420952039112597504

UPDATE 4:

Can also confirm that #Sixers–#Devils presser isn't about on-court/on-ice matters. Sixers aren't playing any games in Newark, for instance.

— Mike Sielski (@MikeSielski) January 8, 2014

Sounding a little less horrible.

UPDATES 5 AND 6: We now have two different confirmations of what the announcement will be:

Told Josh Harris owner of Devils, 76ers and The Rock will be announcing acquisition of an overseas soccer team tomorrow, NOT a 76er move.

— NetsDaily (@NetsDaily) January 8, 2014

Devils-Sixers announcement tomorrow at Pru Center concernns a sponsorship deal. Stand down everyone.

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) January 8, 2014

Labeling a “sponsorship deal” – if that’s what it is – a “major” or “huge” announcement is ridiculous, although it’s very P.T. Barnum-esque. Adam Aron would be proud.

UPDATE 7: Mike Sielski confirms that:

Indeed, the #Sixers–#Devils announcement is of a sponsorship deal.

— Mike Sielski (@MikeSielski) January 8, 2014

Still, the blending of church and state here is not something you should be required to accept or like.

UPDATE 8: As pointed out by some on Twitter, there are mentions of “all-in” and “bluffing” in Tweets and release. It may be a poker sponsorship-partnership between the two teams. A little birdie told me “Party Poker,” but I can’t get that confirmed.

Harris just played us, Philadelphia. This should bother you.

UPDATE 9: It is Party Poker. NJ.com’s Eliot Shorr-Parks confirms.