Sixers

Hip Hop is Dead

By Kyle Scott

Published: Nov 22nd, 2011 · 8:43 AM EST

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You have spoken!

Last month, when new Sixers CEO Adam Aron announced NewSixersOwner.com, a site launched to solicit fan feedback, we encouraged you to submit this letter, which asked for the demise of Hip Hop. Well, along with what I’m sure were many others, your voice… it was heard: [Rich Hoffman for Philly.com]

Seeing as how there is no actual basketball to talk about during the NBA lockout, this qualifies as big Sixers news. After receiving hundreds of communications from fans, nearly all of them advocating the end of a symbol of a different era, the team's new ownership will announce today that the never-beloved mascot has been put out to pasture, literally.

To spare the sensibilities of the one or two children who weren't scared to death by the rabbit, the team will say that Hip Hop fell in love, married and moved away to start a family. Apparently, it either was that or announce that they were going to boil him in a pot on a really big stove in a remake of "Fatal Attraction."

 

Score one for Hoffman, who may have just died a little inside after being forced to write that. Of course, I would have just asked to borrow Homer’s gun and shot H2 in a blaze of glory at center court whenever basketball does return… but the love story angle works, too– just ask Taylor Swift.

According to Hoffman, 6,500 responses were received (not a lot, at all, when you think about it), and many had to do with the demise of Hip Hop.

The new mascot will be a joint effort between Jim Henson’s Creature Shop and the Raymond Entertainment Group, owned by the Phanatic’s former best friend, David Raymond.

Oh happy day.

Pat yourselves on the back, folks. Thanks to your efforts, Hip Hop is no more and Rich Hoffman is writing Fatal Attraction-mascot jokes on Tuesdays. Double word score!

[Related: Adam Aron announces Sixers buy back some of Dr. J's memorabilia]