76ers Stop Using Wells Fargo Center Name Due To Spat Over Business Interests

The 76ers have "decided to stop referring to the Wells Fargo Center by name in all news releases and on the team website because the financial institution chose not to become a business partner with the basketball franchise," according to Dan Gelston of the AP. The 76ers this season started referring to the 20,000-seat arena "simply as The Center." Some fans "thought that was just a marketing idea to develop a catchy nickname for the arena instead of referring to the corporate title." But the team "started sending press releases stating events would be held 'at the Sixers' home arena.'" A June 9 release touting auditions for a 76ers dance team "gives the full address for the arena but omits the name" (AP, 6/10). In Philadelphia, David Sell notes on the team's website, the 3D seating chart to help sell tickets for the '15-16 NBA season "doesn't mention the Wells Fargo arena name" (PHILLY.com, 6/11).