Sixers Still Selling Tickets Despite Iverson's Legal Issues

Even with 76ers G Allen Iverson's legal troubles, the team signed up 15 new season-ticket holders last week while only two canceled, according to Ashley McGeachy Fox of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. 76ers Exec VP/Business Operations Dave Coskey said, "We've had two accounts cancel, and both said the current situation was the reason for that." About 7-8% of season-ticket holders "do not renew from year to year." Coskey added the 15 new season-ticket sales are a "highly unusual number for this time of year. ... It's just timing, but I thought it was a positive sign to see that, in light of the immense amount of publicity going on now, people still bought tickets" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 7/16).

NEXT MOVE: Magic Senior VP Pat Williams said the 76ers are "trapped," as Iverson "has no trade value. Being a [GM] in Philadelphia right now is like being a lookout to the Titanic. You're looking for icebergs. And with Allen, it seems like they're everywhere." In Orlando, Jerry Brewer writes the 76ers "can support their star publicly, which they have done. They can keep in contact with Iverson and stay abreast of what's going on. ... If they distance themselves from Iverson from a marketing standpoint, who do you market? Iverson is the Sixers, as far as the public is concerned" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 7/16).

SHOW STOPPER: In Philadelphia, Jim Nolan reports Iverson's $300-per-person fundraiser, "White Linen Extravaganza," scheduled at the Franklin Institute Friday night and featuring Magic Johnson, T'Wolves F Kevin Garnett and former 76ers President Pat Croce, "has been benched, at least temporarily." The Franklin Institute "canceled the affair more than a week ago because Iverson's charitable foundation had failed to pay an installment" on the rental space. But Iverson's "Dream Day at the Park" and "Celebrity Softball Game" are still on (PHILA. DAILY NEWS, 7/16).