Sixers look to turn corner in attendance rankings
The Sixers have been near the bottom of attendance for years, but that’s about to change.
The feel of the Wells Fargo Center was that of a newly spiked energy on opening night last season. It wasn’t the glitter of soon-to-be MVP Russell Westbrook that packed the house. It was the highly anticipated Sixers debut of the third-season rookie Joel Embiid.
The cheers showered Embiid, following the basketball every time he touched the ball. It was an entirely new feel that followed the team with for the 21 home games he played. And when he was hurt, the fan base deflated as the team faltered. The team finished 18th in the league in home attendance, their best since 2013.
Now, anticipation will boost the Sixers even higher up in the attendance rankings. The team sold a franchise-record 14,000 season tickets. The reason? Ben Simmons. Markelle Fultz. J.J. Redick. And, of course, a returning Joel Embiid. Not only are fans eager to see this new-look, talented Sixers team, but now fans are looking to reap benefits.
More from Philadelphia 76ers
- 3 Reasons the 76ers Should Poach Blake Griffin From the Celtics
- 3 Most Overpaid 76ers Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Ranking Daryl Morey’s 3 Biggest Mistakes with 76ers
- 3 Teams Crazy Enough to Trade for James Harden
- James Harden Putting Career in Jeopardy With Holdout Threat
Jumping on Sixers season tickets are now a possibly lucrative investment. An investment that could bring profits as soon as this season. The rebuild has worked beautifully to the point where Philadelphia will see improvements on-court, and financially.
Not like the Sixers were hurting in that sense either. Even with low attendance rankings for three seasons prior, the team was valued at $800 million in February. CEO Scott O’Neil has used his marketing prowess to keep this team interesting through lean years, by capitalizing on one of the oldest psychological tactics out there; hope for a better future.
And that hope is finally being to turned into a reality. Four seasons since the rebuild started, and Philadelphia is projected to be a playoff team for the first time since the 2011-2012 season. This excitement is continuing to drive ticket sales towards the organization’s benefit.
This is a new face for the Sixers. It’s a natural rebrand in a sense. Still, some of the same faces that have seen the rebuild from the start are in place to maintain stability. Coach Brett Brown and Scott O’Neil are still the same faces that Philadelphians have associated with the team. And now the new faces of the roster will carry the organization on and off the court.
Next: Possible starting lineups for the Sixers
Expect the Sixers to crack at least the top 15 in home attendance this upcoming season, and for that same opening night feeling for the 40 home games (one in London) in the Wells Fargo Center this year.