$19.00
– Sold Out| /
In 1920, Danny Biasone came to the United States from Italy, and his family settled in Syracuse. Years later, he opened a successful bowling alley, and in 1946 sent a $5000 check to the National Basketball League (which would soon merge with the NBA) to start an expansion team. The team was the Syracuse Nationals. Biasone's lasting legacy was convincing the other owners to adopt the 24 second shot clock.
In 1963, Philadelphia businessmen (and South Philly High grads) Ike Richman and Irv Kosloff bought the team from Biasone for just over a half million dollars. Philly and Syracuse had been division rivals, so there was no way they could keep the name Nationals. A naming contest was held, and while several local writers said that "Colonials" was the favorite, the winning suggestion was Walter Stalberg's "76ers". Stalberg won tickets for life and got to throw the ceremonial jump ball at the first Philly game.
Our thought for the t-shirt? "What if they had given away t-shirts at that first game? What would they look like?" Artist Keni Thomas envisioned a nod to "Colonials" and to the "Spirit of 76" that ultimately proved victorious in 1963.
Next Level shirt. 100% soft feel cotton.
Part of the Shibe Originals collection - designs by Philly artists and exclusively available at Shibe Vintage Sports.
