WHEREAS, The Wachovia Spectrum, formerly known as the Spectrum, the CoreStates Spectrum and the First Union Spectrum, opened in 1967; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) played their home games in the Spectrum from 1967 to 1996, and the Philadelphia Wings of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League played their home games there from 1987 to 1996; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Phantoms of the American Hockey League and the Philadelphia Kixx of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) continue to play their home games at the Spectrum, and the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League use the arena for some home games; and
WHEREAS, The Spectrum hosted six Stanley Cup Finals series, including Flyers victories in 1974 and 1975, and four NBA Finals, including the 76ers victory in 1983; and
WHEREAS, The Flyers became the first NHL team to defeat the Soviet Red Army (CSKA Moscow) team on January 11, 1976 at the Spectrum; and
WHEREAS, The Spectrum hosted two NHL All-Star Games and two NBA All-Star Games; and
WHEREAS, The Spectrum also hosted four MISL Championships, three of which were won by the Wings, the 2001 National Professional Soccer League Championship, the 2002 MISL Championship, won by the Kixx, and the 1998 Calder Cup Finals series, which the Phantoms won; and
WHEREAS, The Spectrum has hosted college basketball games and tournaments, including eight Atlantic Ten Conference tournaments and two National Collegiate Athletic Association Men’s Basketball Final Fours; and
WHEREAS, The Spectrum hosted hundreds of concerts, including more than 50 Grateful Dead concerts; and
WHEREAS, Tens of millions of Philadelphians and visitors have attended sporting events, concerts and other events at the Spectrum over the past four decades; and
WHEREAS, The Spectrum will always hold a prominent place in the history of sports and entertainment in the City of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, The Spectrum has been slated for demolition next year; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby honor the history of the Spectrum on the occasion of its closing.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Ed Snider, Chairman of Comcast-Spectacor, as evidence of the sincere sentiments and recognition of this legislative body.
End