Philadelphia 76ers to Pay Tribute to 1967 Championship Team

It is such a privilege to work for a team whose heritage is so deeply woven into the fabric of American sports history. It is our honor and great joy to celebrate this storied franchise in unique and meaningful ways that incorporate our current players, legendary alumni and passionate Season Ticket Members. As we build with excitement towards the coming season, we pay homage to a iconic Sixers team who played with passion, innovation and the heart of the city.

A commemorative bottle of red wine celebrating the 1966-67 champion Philadelphia 76ers just isn’t enough to honor one of the NBA’s greatest teams.

The 2016-17 Sixers will pay tribute to that team all season long with a special center court logo for six games, collectable tickets, throwback uniforms and sculptures honoring players.

The campaign is called “Spirit of the Champion: Celebrating 50 since ’66-’67.” That team finished 68-13 and defeated the San Francisco Warriors in the Finals.

“The campaign carries great significance to the city of Philadelphia. By paying tribute to a beloved Philadelphia team from the ‘60’s, it serves as a platform to connect generations of Philadelphia 76ers fans and share stories that celebrate the passion and pride of being a Philadelphian," Sixers senior vice president of business development and brand marketing Katie O’Reilly said in a statement.

“The 1966-67 championship team was truly unique in that several of its players were Philadelphians themselves, including all-time great Wilt Chamberlain, which invokes a special emotional connection that binds this team to the city of Philadelphia.”

On six “Salute Saturday” home games, the Sixers will install a 16-feet, 6-inch by 20-feet center court with a logo of the Liberty Bell and the words “world champions 1966-1967.” Season tickets holders will also sign the special piece of center court, and according to the Sixers, it will be the first time fan signatures will be on the playing surface of an NBA court.

“The ‘Spirit of the Champion' tribute center court is a unique and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our passionate Season Ticket Members to be part of the on-court action,” 76ers senior vice president of tickets sales and service Jake Reynolds said. “As we honor a legendary championship team we are thrilled incorporate our Season Ticket Members in such a memorable way.”

The throwback jerseys are inspired ’66-’67 road uniforms and players will wear them on the six Salute Saturday games.

The Sixers will unveil sculptures of Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain, Billy Cunningham and Hal Greer, among others.

“To win the NBA Championship in 1967 as a young player, and to be a part of such a legendary team with the players like Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Greer, and Chet Walker and Luke Jackson was such a thrill and something I will never forget,” said Cunningham, who later coached the Sixers to a title in 1983. "That team will forever be one of the greatest of all-time and I am extremely humbled and excited that the Philadelphia 76ers organization chose to celebrate our achievements with fans this season. The Sixers franchise is one of the three greatest in all of professional basketball; they we were the team that was really the start of it all.”

 ·Season-ticket holders will receive collectable tickets and ticket boxes featuring players and coaches on that championship team.

·Chaddsford Winery will release the second of three “Banner Series” wines in late October with a label that honors that 1967 team.