Trotters To Play On Spectrum Roof

Yes, it’s true. Tuesday, March 3, at 2:30 p.m…. The Harlem Globetrotters will play on the freaking roof of the Spectrum. (They probably won’t bring Scooby-Doo with them, but who knows!)

I still haven’t figured out (1) how this is going to work, (2) if you’re going to be able to buy tickets and attend — actually, this is a no — (3) if strong winds could force cancelation — probably a yes — or (4) if there is a danger of the game being canceled after the ball goes out of bounds and off the Spectrum roof.

The Globetrotters have put out a press release about their game/performance/whatever, but it’s just another announcement. But I did learn, from this other Globetrotters press release, about all the celebrities who have attended games this tour!

Other entertainment and sports icons took in the Globetrotters during the record-breaking President’s Day Weekend, including David Duchovny and Harry Connick, Jr. at Madison Square Garden, Jon Bon Jovi and New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, and Vivica Fox and Hall of Fame pitcher Don Sutton at the Globetrotters’ first ever show at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif.

Ooh, Psychic Friends Network host Vivica Fox and Hall of Famer Don Sutton!

But back to the roof game. I was actually thinking this: Comcast-Spectacor needs a few more months out of the building before it’s demolished, and the roof — part of which blew off in 1968, only briefly after the place opened — is a little shaky… what better way to make sure it stays down for the final events at The Spectrum than by having a bunch of basketball players stomp on it for an afternoon?

Harlem Globetrotters to play on roof of Spectrum [The 700 Level]

Phantoms To Honor Past With New Jerseys

The recently-sold, soon-to-be-outta-here (I guess) Philadelphia Phantoms still have the rest of this season to play out at the Spectrum. And what better way to honor the Broad Street Bullies of the 1970s than by playing in these weird new jerseys!

To be honest, though, I kinda like ‘em. They’re so hideously ugly — really, guys? orange, black and white stripes? — that it warms my heart. Go get ‘em, Broad Street Bully Phantoms!

Phantoms to Don “Bullies” Tribute Jerseys [The 700 Level]

A New Year’s Eve Spectrum Implosion?

Now here’s an idea that we can all get behind: The Spectrum might be imploded on New Year’s Eve!

Yes, that’s right, the Spectrum might be imploded on New Year’s Eve. I don’t see any reason this couldn’t be the best thing to ever happen in this city, including the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of Larry Fine.

In the Daily News article, Ed Snider talks about the possibility this thing will be delayed. But, he says, it will go forward.

“We don’t actually have the permits we need yet, but we’re moving forward and the city is being cooperative,” Snider said. “Eventually, they will happen. But none of us are immune to the economic issues. And when you see what is happening to banks and [their reluctance to] lend money, that’s not our issue, that’s The Cordish Company’s issue. They’re the ones building the whole thing and taking the big risk. But I don’t think you could finance this tomorrow. Will you be able to finance it when we’re ready to tear this place down? Who knows what’s going to happen between now and then?

“The economy is an issue for everyone. Hotels are hurting. Retail is hurting. If you could wave a magic wand and have the whole thing here tomorrow morning, would you want it here tomorrow? You want to open when the timing is correct. The project is going to happen,” Snider said. “But the timing of the project is dependent on the economy.”

Oh, man, know what would make this even better? If there are Mummers inside when the Spectrum is imploded.

Photo by Colleen McNeil used under a Creative Commons license

Citigroup To Buy Wachovia

When the economy is in crisis the only one way our nation’s largest financial institutions can survive is to keep buying each other up ’til it passes. In a way, banks are drunken high school kids pairing off for awkward sex (i.e., mergers and acquisitions) on a camping trip. And Citigroup has laid eyes on the quiet brunette with the reputation for putting out: It will buy Wachovia’s banking operations. Make sure to use protection, Citi!

Citigroup will acquire Wachovia’s 200 locations in the Philadelphia area (the bank currently only has 23 around here). Everything else is kind of standard: A bunch of people in government whose job it is to lie to us told us that everything was okay, and praised each other for the great work in helping run our economy into the ground. Wachovia’s shares went way down in premarket trading (91 percent!), the bank was hurt my the mortgage crisis, etc. The usuals.

But forget all that financial stuff. We bloggers roll in so much cash we can sit out any financial crisis the world can offer. Let’s get to the real questions: Does this mean the Wachovia Center will pick up a new name come finalization of the deal? As an upside, the possibly-named Citi Center would maybe confuse out-of-town fans (since it’s not in Center City) and leave more room for Philly sports fans. But since the old building’s being knocked down anyway, why not just go back and call the place The Spectrum?

Update: Joseph DiStefano has more info about the possible change; since Wachovia isn’t being sold, just split up, it could remain the Wachovia Center. Whee!

Citigroup to buy Wachovia banking operations [AP/Philly.com]
Original Wachovia Center Photo by Jason Burmeister used under a Creative Commons License